Post by SPLASH on Apr 24, 2012 15:45:10 GMT -5
One of the gardening topics I have been researching lately to improve my knowledge is manures. Cow, Horse, Rabbit, and Chicken.
Here is a little of what I have learned, hopefully it helps someone in the future.
1. Chicken manure. The highest levels of (N) of manure is Chicken Manure. For preseason fertilizing, you can spread some out on the garden and till it in as long as you let it sit atleast a month before planting and making sure a good amount of rain/water has ran through it.
2. Rabbit. Rabbit manure is great because it breaks down so slow. You can add a bunch to the garden now and it will help plants throughout the season.
3. Cow and 4. Horse. It seems it depends on who you talk to or read from which is better. I personally will never use dairy cow manure due to all the chemicals they are fed in most farms. With both manures, it is best to let it sit 2 years in a pile before adding to the garden. Not only will it be more like dust or dirt, but seeds in the manure will be dead by then so no weeds pop up.
Now what I have been looking into is the level of (N) in the manure you buy in the bag at the stores. I was at Bordines and they had bags of cow manure. I flipped the bag over and the (N) percentage rating was 1%. That is pretty much just dirt and useless for the plants in the garden. Actually, those bags were a joke. When you read any fertilizer whether it be organic or chemical, you will see 3 numbers like this 15-10-5. First number is (N) second is (P) and third (K). I then went to Home depot and Meijer (trying to get through this entire gardening season without spending a dime at China Mart aka Wal Mart) and found cow manure in bags with a 15% rating. MUCH BETTER! They read those numbers, but 15% is really .15%. So if you are looking to go more organic and healthy with your garden and plan on tilling in manure bought at the store, flip the bag over and make sure you aren't buying just dirt. If you get manure from a farmer, ask the farmer how old it is. If you can get a good amount of chicken manure or rabbit, hook your friend Splash up. ;D
Here is a little of what I have learned, hopefully it helps someone in the future.
1. Chicken manure. The highest levels of (N) of manure is Chicken Manure. For preseason fertilizing, you can spread some out on the garden and till it in as long as you let it sit atleast a month before planting and making sure a good amount of rain/water has ran through it.
2. Rabbit. Rabbit manure is great because it breaks down so slow. You can add a bunch to the garden now and it will help plants throughout the season.
3. Cow and 4. Horse. It seems it depends on who you talk to or read from which is better. I personally will never use dairy cow manure due to all the chemicals they are fed in most farms. With both manures, it is best to let it sit 2 years in a pile before adding to the garden. Not only will it be more like dust or dirt, but seeds in the manure will be dead by then so no weeds pop up.
Now what I have been looking into is the level of (N) in the manure you buy in the bag at the stores. I was at Bordines and they had bags of cow manure. I flipped the bag over and the (N) percentage rating was 1%. That is pretty much just dirt and useless for the plants in the garden. Actually, those bags were a joke. When you read any fertilizer whether it be organic or chemical, you will see 3 numbers like this 15-10-5. First number is (N) second is (P) and third (K). I then went to Home depot and Meijer (trying to get through this entire gardening season without spending a dime at China Mart aka Wal Mart) and found cow manure in bags with a 15% rating. MUCH BETTER! They read those numbers, but 15% is really .15%. So if you are looking to go more organic and healthy with your garden and plan on tilling in manure bought at the store, flip the bag over and make sure you aren't buying just dirt. If you get manure from a farmer, ask the farmer how old it is. If you can get a good amount of chicken manure or rabbit, hook your friend Splash up. ;D