skip to main content

Organic Lawn Care

Is the manure I used too fresh?

10 years ago

I obtained some composted horse manure but unfortunately didn't do enough research to know what to look for in the compost I was collecting (lesson learned).

What I collected from a compost heap was wet and warm and had a slight horse odor to it. I now know that I should be looking for dry, mossy-smelling compost from animal manures. Long story short it got added to the bottom of my raised beds (single layer, probably 3-4 inches thick) with my veggies planted on top. My concern is, are my plants at risk for acquiring E. Coli or some other fun disease-causing bacteria? As it is early season, I don't anticipate on harvesting anything for at least 3 more weeks.

Any advice or guidence would be greatly appreciated for this newly humbled gardener.

Comment (1)

Kimmsr
10 years ago
The general guidelines issued by the Center for Disease
Control, the National Institute of Health, and the USDA about using animal manures in the vegetable garden is to apply that manure at least 90 days before harvesting crops growing above ground and 120 days for below ground crops.
While animal manures are good sources of nutrients far too much of that manure is wasted by improper storage. If animal manures are simply piled up and allowed to sit around to "age" 20 to 50 percent of the Nitrogen and 5 to 20 percent of the Phosphorus and Potash can be lost, according to numerous studies done at our Ag Schools.
Related Professionals
Signal Hill Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Sahuarita Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Arlington Landscape Contractors · Middletown Landscape Contractors · Andover Landscape Contractors · Berkley Landscape Contractors · Canby Landscape Contractors · Coeur d'Alene Landscape Contractors · Essex Landscape Contractors · Mashpee Landscape Contractors · Suitland Landscape Contractors · Westchester Landscape Contractors · Fullerton Fence Contractors · Hackensack Fence Contractors · Tulsa Fence Contractors

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES The Poop Scoop: Enrich Your Soil With Good Old Manure

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Get over the ick factor already — this natural super-ingredient for soil has so many benefits, you'll wonder why you ever went chemical

TILE 10 Fresh Ways to Use Hex Tiles

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

Interested in this popular tile shape? Here are some ideas for incorporating hexagons into your home

DECORATING GUIDES Spare Room? Lucky You. Here are 12 Fresh Ways to Use It

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Imagine all the things you could do in your extra space: painting, planting, playing or nothing at all

ACCESSORIES 9 Fresh Ways to Use Classic Blue and White Ceramics

By Laura Gaskill

Add a crisp, clean touch to a room with a china or porcelain jar — or a collection of them

FRONT YARD IDEAS Welcome Edibles Into the Front Yard for Fresh Food and More

By Abundant City

Give your front yard design a boost and maybe even make new friends by growing fruits and vegetables

COLOR Benjamin Moore Floats Breath of Fresh Air as Its Color of 2014

By Jennifer Ott Design

Touted as a new neutral, this baby blue can stand on its own or support bolder colors. Here's how to use it

LIVING ROOMS 10 Fresh Ideas for Your Fireplace Alcoves

By Karen Wilson

Not sure how to make use of the space on either side of your chimney? Check out these alternatives to the standard built-in bookcase

APARTMENTS Houzz Tour: Fresh Look for a Loft in a Former Victorian Fabric Mill

Better use of space and brighter light were priorities in this contemporary makeover in northern England

FEEL-GOOD HOME 12 Very Useful Things I've Learned From Designers

By Becky Harris

These simple ideas can make life at home more efficient and enjoyable

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Fresh, Out-of-the Box Kitchen Designs

Sponsored

Red Pine Landscaping

Industry Leading Landscape Contractors in Franklin County, OH