Another Poo Question

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knpeterson Waynesville, MO Apr 17, 2009

How do I know if my manure is aged enough. I have plenty of horse and cow poo. I know not to grab the green fresh ones but what is acceptable as aged?
I don't want to burn up my plants I've worked so hard on. :(

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MiniPonyFarmer Gilmer, TX(Zone 8b) Apr 18, 2009

If you have kept the pile moist and turned it regularly, and you have observed it going thru a "heat", you can use composted manure as soon as 6 weeks. However, if you have not done these things, you can generally expect that it is well enough rotted by 3 months. this is provided that you do not live in an ARID climate where the poop got zero moisture from the atmospheric conditions. Moisture is necessary for the process. Turning the pile speeds it up. Mixing in a little soil or other organic materials (kitchen scraps, wood shavings, grass clippings, spilled horse feed, etc...) can also speed up the process.

Post #6427324
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knpeterson Waynesville, MO Apr 18, 2009

Thanks for the info. I do not have a compost pile as of yet but my horses have a special area that they prefer to hang out at and do their business. I was just going to take a shovel and barrow and load up. I think I should be pretty safe. :)

Post #6427468
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MiniPonyFarmer Gilmer, TX(Zone 8b) Apr 18, 2009

I too have cleaned out the loafing shed in exactly that manner and the manure has done fine. Usually there is enough "aged" manure in the pile to overwhelm the presence of a few "fresh" piles that might exist and would not alter the contents drastically. If the balls are really hard and dry, you might mix it in with other stuff to get it distributed better. I still find an intact horseapple from time to time when diggin in the beds.

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skaz421 Wesley Chapel, FL(Zone 9a) Apr 20, 2009

You want to be careful about using fresh manure. Some plants will take it OK, others will burn.

To be on the safe side, I make sure the manure is old - dried up, doesn't smell.

I grow tropicals, and they're very sensitive. They get damaged with fresh manure.

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