How Can I Tell if Cow Manure Has Burned My Roots?

Question

I used fresh manure and the leaves on my plants are now starting to curl up. What should I do? If I disturb them to add more soil, will that harm them or shock them?

Answer 1

Yes, curling and yellowing are signs of nitrogen burned plants. At this point, I would remove them and amend the soil. They will only die if you leave them there, so it is better to risk transplant shock and have a chance of saving them by removing them rather than leaving them where they will certainly die.