How to Use Manure in the Greenhouse

Manure has a few uses for a gardener. It is rich in nitrogen and releases it slowly, which is fantastic for fertilizing plants. It also helps activate compost so you can recycle other organic material. Another use that many people do not consider is how manure can help heat your greenhouse passively during the winter months, so you do not have to trade high energy bills for fresh vegetables.

Things You'll Need

• Manure
• Leaves
• Grass clippings
• Food scraps
• Loam
• Wooden boxes
• Plants

Instructions

1. Find a good manure source. Some farmers might allow you to take manure for a nominal fee or even for free. Cows, horses, rabbits, bats, chicken and turkey manure are all good for using in a greenhouse.

2. Mix manure with leaves, grass clippings, food scraps and other organic materials and allow it to decompose into compost for four to six weeks. Combine it with three parts loam (a kind of soil) to one part manure compost and use it as potting soil for your greenhouse plants. For composting, check the carbon to nitrogen ratios (see the Resources section).

3. Build wooden boxes under the shelves or benches in your greenhouse and move your compost pile along with the manure into these boxes. Top the compost piles with your organic waste and mix them at least once a week so they continue producing heat.

4. Pack the greenhouse with plants. The more plants in the greenhouse, the easier it is to maintain the heat during the night.

Tips & Warnings

• If your compost has an unpleasant smell, add some brown materials to help neutralize it and improve the quality of your compost.

• Do not use fresh manure to fertilize your plants, or your risk burning them with the nitrogen and possibly killing them.

References

• Greenhouse Growing: Heating Your Greenhouse Naturally
• The Gardener's Network: Manure for Your Garden
• Gardening How-to: Indoor Plants

Resources

• Composting101.com: Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio