raw horse/cow manure added to my garden, a friend was helping me….is it bad????

Question

I was shocked that raw manure was added to my bed where I grow my vegetables and my sweet pea flowers. I didn’t know that was done until after the fact. I found your web site and I am concerned especially because of growing food to eat! I AM SHOCKED AND DISAPPOINTED BY THIS FORM OF ASSISTANCE. I sustained a fall two weeks ago, broken ribs and a dear, friend and neighbor since 2006 offered to help. I will not let this ruin a friendship BUT WHAT CAN I DO FOR THE SOIL SO I CAN PLANT, EVEN JUST MY SWEET PEA FLOWERS?? I did remove as many big, clumps they looked like charcoal brickets with grass in them. Waiting for your kind reply and any help you can provide. I have not planted anything yet. Thank you so much, Sharon Lockwood, [e-mail] Long Beach, CA 90807

Answer 1

Usually, outdoors, it isn’t the biggest deal. There are plenty of microbes in the soil to help break it down. The only concern will be giving the plants too much nitrogen. A few good rains will bring these levels back out, so there is likely nothing to be done at this time.

You can add a little DOLOMITIC LIME to balance the pH out, but there isn’t much to do really. It is best to use well composted manure, but really only more sensitive plants will be harmed by direct manure application.