Spreading manure...

I picked up a couple of bags of composted cow manure from the local garden center. I was going to spread it around my perennials to add some slow-release nitrogen to the soil during the Minnesota winter. Is this okay to do? Or should I actually work it into the soil around the plants? I was going to post this to the Lazy Gardener forum but couldn't find it... :-)

It would be better if you turned the soil, or at least scratched it in some. But it won't hurt to dump it. It just won't help the plants as much since it isn't in a place the roots would grow into.

"Lazy gardener forum" too funny!!!!

It's recommended you mix it into the soil.

Drat! I was so hoping someone would say, "just strew it about, sit back and enjoy". Should've known better. Thanks for confirming!

OK, is this closer to what you want to hear? It is suggested that before winter it's a good idea to put mulch and/or compost on TOP of the soil and let it percolate down into the soil over the winter. I don't see any reason that wouldn't apply to manure. You said it's composted, so it shouldn't burn, but nontheless be careful to not get it closer than 6, or better 8, inches to any plant. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. I may do that myself.

You are my new best friend! I will give it a shot...maybe even try an experiment and strew it about in one garden and mix it in in another and then see if the extra labor creates more rewards. Thanks again for the helpful info.

Ohhh! Thanks for that! I've got gardens that can't be dug into, and that is a wonderful way to do it.

Maybe I should start that 'Lazy Gardner' forum to share these tips and tricks ;-)

We have very heavy black clay soil. It is backbreaking to try to work when it's dry, and working it wet would make it only worse, plus you can imagine the mess. The fast way to amend it to make it arable for desirable plants is to remove several inches and then add twice as much organic matter as was removed and till that into the soil, and to add additional organic matter as it breaks down. But if you've got the time, and it does take time, putting six inches or even 8 inches of organic matter on TOP of the clay soil is an alternative. Every time it rains, some of it percolates down into the clay, and eventually the soil is transformed from clay muck into a nice planting soil. You can even put transplants, like tomatoes, in among the mulch/compost during the growing season, and their roots help improve the soil. Soon earthworms are attracted, and they do their part.