Manure and the organic garden

With the current separation between urban and rural lifestyles, there are few opportunities for the city gardener to access clean stock manures. This is a pity because stock manure is one of the most effective soil conditioners for the average garden. The main sources of stock manure include cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and pigs. To this list can be added some of the more exotic creatures which are raised for their fleece, feathers, and meat.

Off the top of my head, I’m considering alpaca, ostriches, reindeer, and water buffalo. It’s worth bearing in mind that the collected deposits of a free ranging herd are much more likely to suit the requirements of the conscientious organic gardener. Free ranging animals are generally subject to chemical free pastures and fewer controls in the form of antibiotics, and other food additives.

There are very few rules with manure; a lot of the guesswork is relatively fun and harmless. What I would tend to advise is to seek a certain level of maturity before applying directly near plants. Reason? Fresh manure is high in soluble nitrogen which tends to burn immature plants. This is particularly true for poultry manure, a popular variety which is often sold as an organic lifter at farmers markets.

If you are serious or planning to attack organics in a big way, you’ll need a decent sized trailer and a couple of sturdy shovels. I’ve called farmers and stockyards, simply introduced myself then delivered my basic request for manure. Most agriculturalists don’t miss a beat. Sometimes they ask an outrageous price which requires serious negotiating. Often they offer as much as you need for nothing more than a carton of beer. This is possibly the time to discreetly check for quality. Most manure is reasonably clean. It’s certainly okay to ask whether the paddocks have been sprayed recently. If you’re particularly nervous about these issues, why not contact organic agriculturalists. They are far more common these days.

Be aware that some, if not most manure will contain a diversity of grass and weed seeds. This can be a minor drawback in certain situations. Partial remedy is available by selecting the most digested manures. Cows and sheep for example digest their food more completely than horses. If weeds are entirely forsaken in your garden, it may be an option to treat the manure in a hot compost heap. This will destroy most seeds and increase the maturity of your soil conditioner.

Autumn is the traditional time for gardeners to apply their well-dried manures to freshly prepared beds. This adds condition and complexity to soil structure, and also enables a rich supply of nutrients to be captured during the dormancy of winter.

It’s surprising to hear the number of dedicated gardeners who have never used manure. Some people consider it too dirty or not quite worth the effort. I can’t agree with that. Hunt out the individuals with the crispest lettuce and juiciest tomatoes. Find the prizewinning flower at the local agricultural show. Ask the question and inevitably you will receive the answer. Of course we use manure, it’s natural isn’t it?