Sing Animal M
Manure is the most ancient fertilizer, and still one of the best. In addition to supplying low levels of major nutrients, all manures are rich sources of calcium, micronulrients, and organic matter. Manure is also rich in beneficial microorganisms, making it an excellent addition to compost piles as well as to garden soil. The nutrient content of manure varies widely, so the values given here are only approximate. M
Fresh manure. Fresh manure has the highest levels of nitrogen, microorganisms, and weed seeds. The nitrogen (especially in chicken manure) can burn plant roots and interfere with seed germination. Avoid sprea< ing fresh manure around plants unless they're dormant. You can mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer at the end of the fall growing season to prepare beds for spring planting. For fresh chicken manure, use half as much and cover wiffc an equally thick layer of carbon-rich shredded leaves or straw. Composting fresh manure will prevent burning and reduce weed seeds. Never use "manure'1 from dogs or cats, as these can carry human diseases.
Dried and composted manures- Dried manures, available in easy-to-handle bags at garden centers, are less apt to burn plants. They're a more concentrated nutrient source because the water has been removed. For most dried manure, apply 15 pounds per 100 square feet (7.3 kg/10 m2). For stronger types — sheep, poultry/ chicken manure, bat guano, and cricket castings — use half as much. Many suppliers sell bagged, composted manures. These have no odor and won't burn or introduce weed seeds. Apply them at the same or slightly higher rates than dried manures; check labels for recommended application rates.
Types of Animal Manures
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• '■'> :• •. . ' ' "* - S- •:•-•• ijr/. Average Nutrient | ||
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Type |
Content (approx.) Comments |
BiiS' ¿ |
Poultry, fresh
Dried chicken/ poultry
Earthworm castings
Bat guano
Cricket castings
- 1-0.8-0.5 0.4% Ca, 0.2% Mg
- 5-2.7-1.4 2.9% Ca, 0.6% Mg
- 5-0.5-0.3
Few weed seeds; strong odor; slower to decay than other manures
Won't burn, plants; few weed seeds; use sparingly where soil salt levels are
Can burn plants; may contain lots of weed seeds; mild odor
Pellets are easy to handle; few weed seeds; little odor: contains more organic matter than other fresh manures
Strong odor; high moisture content makes it slower to decay than other manures
High in available nitrogen; will burn plants unless composted firs respirator to protect lungs from fungus; strong odor
Often contains chicken manure, but mixed with turkey, duck, or other domesticated bird droppings
Good for boosting phosphorus in cold or alkaline soils (add with matter); wear respirator to protect lungs from fungus
No risk of burning plants; superb soil conditioner; can use up to 25 J 100 sq. ft. for poor soils; very high in organic matter
Dry bat droppings collected from caves., so nil
From crickets raised as fish bait; rich source of calcium and i
128 tlCRITS TO ORBAT SOIL
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