Q.Can To Much Manure In A Garden Be Harmful To You
We have garden boxes 4’ x 4’. We didn’t have access to soil so we filled the boxes up with tree branches and manure. Then put about 2 inches of potting soil on top. Can we get e-coli from the roots of the plants touching the manure?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
If the manure was not composted, you should avoid harvesting vegetables for at least four months. A better scenario would be to put it down in the fall or winter for a spring garden. But composted manure is best because it eliminates weed seeds and disease pathogens if it is heated to 140 degrees F for a sustained time. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/using-fresh-manure-in-gardens.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/manure-pros-cons.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/the-benefits-of-manure-in-your-garden.htm
Even using that much manure, if it was composted, could make the garden too rich and not appropriate for the flowers or vegetables you intend to grow. If you now have access to soil, you could add some garden soil to the mix.