How to Add Manure to Compost
Compost and manure are both wonderful additives for your garden’s soil. Adding manure to your compost pile is a practical way to create a planting mix that you can then mix into your garden. Adding manure to compost isn’t any more difficult than simply turning the manure in to the compost with a shovel; but where you have to take some care is in selecting and aging the manure to be added to your garden compost pile. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Select a manure source. Certain types of manure are great for your garden, other types you are going to want to avoid. Manures that work well in gardens include manure from horses, chickens, sheep, goats, rabbits and cows. Green manure can be added as well.
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Let your manure age. It is generally recommended that you allow the manure you are adding to age for at least 60 days before adding it into your compost pile. Some types of manure take less time, but this is a good rule of thumb. Adding “hot” manure, or manure that has not been aged properly, can expose you to the slight risk of spreading disease and contaminants throughout your garden.
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Add your aged manure to the compost. Use a shovel to add the manure to the compost and then to turn the compost so that the manure and the compost are evenly mixed throughout.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use manure from pigs, dogs, cats or humans. These types of manure are not suitable for gardening and could spread disease and contaminants throughout your garden and into whatever food you reap from it.
References
- Photo Credit bêche image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com
