Not all manure is the same?

[Survey1]

I am planning an approximately 2acre veggie garden this year in an area that hasn't been worked in 10-15 years. The soil seems rich almost black for the first 2-3 inches with grass right now and georgia red clay underneath. To further enrich the mixture I was considering using horse manure tilled in. The horse manure is free from the next door neighbor and he seems anxious to offer it. It seems that I remember something is different about horse manure versus cow and chicken manure both of which I know to be great fertilizer. Anyone have objections to the use of horse manure? Thanks

 

[Zork]

Horse manure is all we used when I was growing up. Horses do not ruminate as cow's do. Horse manure has seeds that I hear will turn to weeds. Cow's and goats ruminate and pass the rumination to an additional stomach for digestion, after being chewed an additional time, and during this process there are no seeds to contaminate your garden. The farms down the road use to use chicken manure (stinky) and I do not remember the drawback.

 

[Molerj]

Horse & chicken manure is stronger than cow manure. I once put a few loads of horse manure on the garden in March, tilled it in & planted the plants the end of May. The peppers & tomatoes took until end of July before they got rid of the yellow color. As for weeds, you definitely get weeds from horse and cow manure.

 

[zzvyb6]

Horse manure does have pesky seeds in it but that can be managed in a few ways. If you cover it with hay flakes when on the garden surface, the weeds won't get any sunlight and will droop. The flakes also trap moisture and that's also good.

If you have a LOT of horse manure, you can compost it for a year and the internal heat will oxidize the seeds. No patience for that? I burn the manure mixed with fall leaves. The smell is actually quite pleasant (corkish) to me. After that, put the burned poop residoodoo on plants and run like heck because they will grow so large and fast that someone could get hurt.

 

[smstonypoint]

The usual advice is to compost the manure before application to reduce weed seed germination.

Here's some useful information.WSU Master Gardener: Stewardship Gardening - Introduction: Understanding Manure

Steve

 

[Survey1]

So thus far, the unwanted seed factor seems to be the only deterence. Maybe a shot of Roundup before tilling it in may be considered. Not sure how much added cost the Roundup would be...or if it would be very effective on manure seed.

 

[smstonypoint]

So thus far, the unwanted seed factor seems to be the only deterence. Maybe a shot of Roundup before tilling it in may be considered. Not sure how much added cost the Roundup would be...or if it would be very effective on manure seed.

You would want a pre-emergent herbicide -- Roundup (glyphosate) is post-emergent.

Steve

 

[bp fick]

Gardening is a passion of mine, as I am sure it will be of yours.

For this year, I'd not use the manure, but I'd take every pound your neighbor is offering. Yessir. Black Gold it is, but absolutely spend this year composting it and next year, you'll be good to go. One must always think a year ahead anyhow. Next year, with fresh manure, you'd just have to wait another anyhow.

If your soil is rich black on top, give this year a go. I'm organic, but I'd much rather you got a little lime and even the less bothersome chemical fertilizer than messing with herbicides because you used fresh horse manure.
Yessir, it will be the source of weeds. Next year, with this year's clippings and this fall's leaves, it will be spectacular stuff and you won't need a thing.
YouTube - Plants2b.mov

For your pleasure and inspiration: Enjoy

 

[Survey1]

Great idea in composting it fo next year. Supply is not a problem since my neighbor seems to have a well established horse manure factory. I had originally thought about seeking chicken manure since there are lots of chicken houses nearby, however this horse manure can be brought in directly via loader on the tractor with no hauling involved. Thanks for all of the input.

 

[bp fick]

Chicken manure is what I use because I keep chickens. It will be virtually weed free. That said, put it on today!! It needs 30-60 days to be worked into the soil and discompose and release all it's energy.

This year, chicken manure. The future will be composted horse and other stuff. Great plan. Enjoy your gardens.