Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The poop on manure
Manure happens! And in abundance but fresh manure should never be put on a veggie garden! You can buy composted manure at most garden centers.
Temperatures in a compost pile should reach 130 to 140 degrees to kill weed seeds and pathogens. It should stay at that temp for at least 5 days. Most folks stay away from pig manure. It’s best to stick with dairy, sheep, horse or poultry manure.
Never use dog or cat manure. It’s just not worth the risk as dogs may have worms and cats can carry parasites. You can use your PET rabbit, guinea pig or hamsters bedding but only AFTER it’s been composted. However, you CAN use wild rabbit droppings with no composting. Those bunnies are usually depositing them in your garden for you!
My compost bin – this whole area is being reworked! It was a jungled mess.
My own story of blindly getting horse manure from a farmer is one I’ll share in order to stop you from doing it! ALWAYS SEE what you’re getting before putting manure on your garden. Just goes to show you that we’re always learning!!! And that’s a good thing. Note: not all of those roundish things are rocks, some are gobs of hay.
My tale of woe isn’t to discourage you from getting composted livestock manure but rather to make sure you know what you’re getting… With Creekside you don’t have to be concerned.