How to Add Manure to a Flower Bed

Healthy plants begin with conditioned, nutritious soil.

Soil health contributes to successful gardening by providing a nutrient-rich foundation for growing plants. Well-composted herbivore manure feeds and conditions the soil in an existing flowerbed. New beds benefit from manure worked into the soil before planting. Manure is available packaged or directly from the source. Well-rotted manure doesn’t tie up nitrogen in the soil, and its benefits are immediately available to the soil and the plants.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Wheelbarrow
• Shovel
• Rake
• Heavy-duty garden gloves
• Safety goggles (optional)
• Well-rotted herbivore manure

Instructions

1. Measure the length and width of the planting area. Allow 100 pounds of manure for every 100 square feet of bed surface.

2. Fill the wheelbarrow with an amount of manure that you can easily maneuver. Push the wheelbarrow to the flowerbed site.

3. Shovel three shovels full of manure onto the soil surface between plants. Rake the small piles into a level surface 2 inches deep, retaining 3 inches of uncovered soil around the bases of growing plants.

4. Repeat this procedure until the bed is covered.

5. Shovel manure over the entire surface of an unplanted flowerbed. Spread the manure into a layer 3 inches deep, and then work the manure into the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches.
   (Ref 1)

Tips & Warnings

• Work with amounts of manure that are comfortably wheeled or shoveled.

• Wear gardening gloves.

• Wear safety goggles on windy days.

• Prepare new beds in fall.

• Use well-rotted manure on existing flowerbeds any time of year.

• Never use fresh manure around growing plants.

References

• Washington State University Extension; Soil Management in Yards and Gardens; Craig Cogger; June, 2011
• PBS; The Victory Garden; Ask -- Questions and Answers; Plants
• University of Missouri Extension; Improving Lawn and Landscape Soils; Manjula V. Nathan; April 2010
• West Virginia University Extension; Fertilizing Small Fruits in the Home Garden; John W. Jett ; Sept. 1999

Resources

• The Miller Group: Soil Calculator