What's your question? Ask

Top Questions About Manure Fertilizer

Click on links below to jump to that question.

Questions About Manure Fertilizer

  • Answered by
    Heather on
    January 28, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    The best way to reduce the smell of cow manure in a compost pile is to give it a thick covering of another non smelly, but compostable material. Popular covers include straw, leaves and newspaper. The more you cover the manure, the more these organic covers are able to reduce the smell.

    Was this answer useful?
    00
Join Us - Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!
  • Answered by
    Heather on
    January 30, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    This is, unfortunately, a side effect of this fertilizer. This spray should be applied before you mulch, and this will help keep the smell down. If you have sprayed, you can place a mulch, like wood chips or straw or leaves, over the area that was treated and this will help.

    It will fade on its own after a rainfall or two.

    Was this answer useful?
    00
  • Answered by
    Heather on
    February 3, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    I would try placing it in airtight bins or a heavy duty plastic bag. That will reduce the smell some. Also, keep it as cool as possible. Higher temperatures will make the smell worse.

    As far as I know, there is nothing you can add to the liquid itself to keep it from smelling.

    Was this answer useful?
    00
  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 4, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    The best kinds of vegetables to grow in nitrogen rich soil are vegetables that are grown for their leaves. Nitrogen encourages leaves to grow and suppresses root and flower growth. Vegetables like spinach, lettuce and greens are great.

    If you want to plant something else there, I would recommend adding phosphorus to balance out the nitrogen.

    Was this answer useful?
    00
  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 11, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    There is no set ideal time for how long to compost horse manure, but typically it takes 2-3 months if done properly. You are better off looking at the compost itself to see if it is ready. The horse manure compost will look like soil and will have lost its "manure" smell when ready.

    Was this answer useful?
    00
  • Answered by
    Heather on
    March 12, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    You do not want to use raw horse manure on your garden beds. First, because the seeds in it have not been killed by heat from composting (and will grow) and second because the nitrogen is to "hot" and needs time to mellow. You want to leave it to compost/rot for a few months in a compost bin before you put it on your beds. You may find this article helpful: http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/horsecompost.htm

    Once it has been composted and the nitrogen has mellowed, you can spread it up to 3-4 inches deep over the ground and then work it in.

    Was this answer useful?
    00
  • Answered by
    Nikki on
    March 20, 2011
    Certified Expert
    A.

    If you are amending the soil in the winter with cow manure yearly, it should be good through the summer. That being said, compost never hurts when added to the garden.

    Was this answer useful?
    00
1 2 3 28

Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert

OK