Manure and compost are popular choices when it comes to enriching garden soil. But a question often arises: Does manure need to be composted before use? We delve into this topic to provide a comprehensive answer.
What is Manure?
Manure is an organic material, primarily animal feces, used to fertilize the soil. It’s rich in nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth. However, fresh manure may contain harmful pathogens and weed seeds.
What is Compost?
Compost is decomposed organic matter, which can include kitchen waste, garden waste, and, yes, manure. Composting is a controlled process that turns organic material into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner.
Types of Manure: Not All Manure is Created Equal
Different animals produce different types of manure. Cow manure, chicken manure, and horse manure are commonly used. Each type varies in nutrient content and decomposition rate.
The Risks of Using Fresh Manure
Fresh manure is high in nitrogen and can “burn” plants if applied directly. It may also contain harmful bacteria and parasites. Moreover, fresh manure can introduce weed seeds into your garden.
The Benefits of Composting Manure
Composting manure allows more manure contact with microbes, speeding up decomposition. This eliminates harmful pathogens and weed seeds. Composted manure is also easier to handle and apply.
Hot Composting vs. Cold Composting
Hot composting is a faster method but requires careful monitoring. Cold composting takes longer but is less labor-intensive. Both ways are effective for composting manure.
How Much Manure Should You Use?
The amount of manure to use depends on its type and the needs of your garden plants. A soil test can provide valuable information on what your soil lacks.
Manure in the Fall, Compost in the Spring
Applying fresh manure in the fall gives it time to decompose before the growing season. Compost, on the other hand, can be used in the spring as it is already decomposed.
The Composting Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Collect Manure: Gather manure from farm animals, avoiding dog or pig manure due to potential pathogens.
2. Prepare the Compost Pile: Mix manure with other composting materials like garden waste.
3. Turn the Pile: Regular turning allows more contact of manure with microbes.
4. Monitor Temperature: Use a compost thermometer to ensure the pile reaches a temperature that will kill pathogens.
5. Harvest Compost: Once fully decomposed, your compost is ready to enrich your garden soil.
Purchased Bagged Composted Manure
If you need a supply of fresh manure, bagged, composted manure is available. Ensure it’s from a reputable source to guarantee quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Manure contains various nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Yes, you can use raw manure as a fertilizer. Still, it comes with risks, such as the potential for “burning” plants due to high nitrogen content and the presence of harmful pathogens and weed seeds.
Composted manure has undergone a decomposition process and is more stable, while raw manure is fresh and can contain pathogens.
In a compost bin or pile, you can turn manure into compost by combining it with other organic materials, such as leaves, grass clippings, and wood chips.
It is generally recommended to compost manure before using it in the garden to avoid potential issues with pathogens and odors.
Manure is generally used as a component of compost, but the terms are not interchangeable. Compost is the end product of a specific composting process, while manure refers to animal waste.
A composting system that includes regular turning and proper moisture levels is ideal for composting manure.
Dairy manure can be composted, but it may require additional steps to ensure proper decomposition.
Adding manure to compost can increase nutrient content, improve soil structure, and enhance microbial activity.
Conclusion
While it’s possible to use fresh manure, composting it first is generally safer and more beneficial for your garden. Composting reduces risks and enhances the beneficial properties of manure.
