From

Location

Message

Date Posted

What is the better & safer manure (cow,chicken etc..) to use and how much is to much or to little per growing area?

9/23/2023 7:16:10 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Most growers have gotten away from using manure ( salts, disease, etc. ) unless it's been composted well. Most just use a good compost. You can find this by looking up your cities local compost yard and it's usually free and they'll put as much in your truck as they can fit.

Good luck!

Good luck!

9/23/2023 8:24:34 AM

Syracuse, NY

You can also type
manure
into the Site Search window at the top right, here --->>>^^^
and read all about it all weekend; See mostly the ones that do not have a 'photo' icon for more discussion than the photo(s); Yeah, if composted works for you financially, fine, but Nature will do it!
You can use all you want if you get it really cheaply or for free.It is the basis for a lively and thriving biological environment and it should be incorporated (tilled in) as SOON as it can be right after these pumpkins are outta the patch.

9/23/2023 12:54:12 PM

Syracuse, NY

The only concern for ME would be 'Did you use any herbicides on your cows', horses' or whichever's' feed???' If it were up to ME, I'd get a 6-8-inch layer of horse or cow manure and till it in just once ASAP and others may recommend something to go in with it to help break it down but that'd be very optional. Now and over winter it would break down and 'do its thing'
IN the SOIL; I have also gotten horse manure and lazily left it on top of the soil over winter and grew some very vigorous field pumpkins there last summer. The stories you hear about manure piles are true in that they do grow some big plants if not big pumpkins, also! Horse, cow, Alpaca - I'll soon put down ALL THAT I can afford or until my spreader breaks again, (NO!) lol and whenever it is to have additional amendments applied to see to attending to the soil's actual NEEDS, I will add at least 1-2 pounds per 1000 SF granular Mycorrhizae, a beneficial fungus that attaches to the plants' roots and helps them with nutrient acquisition - I'd even till in Myco before ANY other soil additive, I love it so much!

Chicken may be the best manure to EVER use but it is the stinkiest and it may be very high in Nitrogen, (perhaps use a No-Nitrogen initial fertilizer with it, eh, boys and girls???) but I have not had the luxury of using it, just yet. ALL manures need to break down between seasons, no matter what. Get it into the soil and do not skimp. Fixing tractor tire later today - Step 2 of 3 for next year! Good Luck! eric g

9/23/2023 12:54:28 PM

Syracuse, NY

PS - This is all to coincide and agree with all others' recommendations; It is based upon my thoughts on the subject. eg

9/23/2023 1:05:02 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

CCC = Composted Cow Crap

9/23/2023 11:31:40 PM

Ontario

Nest manure I'd the one you get from your own animals lol
I love chicken cause we get loads for free from our hens, and since we use wood shavings bedding it is balanced nitrogen-carbon ratio.

9/24/2023 8:54:34 AM

Deer Park, WI

what's your goal? This is the most important question to consider. How do you define better? How do you define safer?

9/24/2023 9:04:17 AM

Western NY

I'm getting back *into* manure.

9/24/2023 9:05:47 AM

Partlow,Va

A grower at the Va weighoff yesterday told me he thinks he got disease from some manure this year. He knew it was a little too fresh this spring but used it anyway.

9/24/2023 9:12:19 AM

South of Buffalo

Ive used chicken compost which is from a tightly run egg farm that is certified for organic "manure". It is composted in windrows to strict standards. It is high in N and my plants this year showed that. Leaf Compost tends to lighten my soil but I actually have had more disease issues from town leaf compost based on what presents the next season. never did leaf compost and chicken compost.

9/25/2023 3:02:32 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I always love Joe's questions and answers!

Where have you been the past few months? Must of been in tha patch!:)

I've learned so much from you over the past 15 years. I really enjoy the science behind growing these things. If you really broke down manure, I'm sure it would be 5 pages long and all good info. There's just so many variables...

9/25/2023 5:10:02 PM