Manure----is your golden or toxic waste

[Chuck]

I know there are other threads talking about manure, types, uses, how to's and a lot more but I don't think many people know this or if pertains to anyone outside of the US.

At this time of year many people are starting their gardens and many for the first time. Some folks are using manure that is mucked out of horse stables or feed lots. Others have seen what seem to be farmers on the side of the road selling "Organic Fertilizer", "All Natural" etc. Others buy hay and use it to put between their rows as walkways. It is imperative that you know your manure. Many if not most of the commercial hay growers use a broadleaf herbicide called Piclaram or its derivities to keep weeds out of their hay.They spray their fields and this chemical kills the weeds but stays on the hay. This very nasty chemical is harmless to animals and will go right through them, so to speak, when they eat the hay. This chemical stays in the manure and in your garden for years. It takes a long, long time for it to leach out of the soil. But all is not lost. There is a simple test you can do to see if your manure or hay is safe or toxic waste. Just get a 5 gallon bucket of water, throw in a shovel of you manure or a big handful of your hay and let it soak for at least 36 hours, then go out and find you a dandelion or some broadleaf plant, pour some of the water on it and if it hasn't curled up and died within 3 days it is safe. So, to make a long story short get to know your manure

 

[gata montes]

We too have the same here - with many so called " Organic " or " All Natural Fertilizers " being offered at a very low price or sometimes even free.

However - as I too agree that not all manures are the same and that you do need to be very aware of what they may contain and because of that are best acquired from a reputable source - especially when considering - that although we too - do have a problem with the over use of chemicals - we have the added one of these " Organic or Natural Fertilizers " containing high amounts of bacteria.

Although many of these manures are hay based too - they are normally combined with large quantities of animal manure - which as they are fresh and haven't been properly composted or aged - present more of a problem than just worrying about whether they may contain toxic waste - as apart from the fact that animal manures normally smell pretty pungent if fresh - they can burn plants due to the high mix of soluble nitrogen compounds and ammonia - but more importantly are a health hazard due to the fact that fresh animal manure is known to contain high amounts of bacteria and especially E-Coli - unless it has been properly composted and aged for at least six months.

Although I normally only use my own compost in my garden - if the rare occasion arrived and I had to buy some - I most certainly wouldn't buy anything organic or otherwise that wasn't certified - as properly composted and sterile - whether it be for ornamentals or edibles

 

[Chuck]

We too have the same here - with many so called " Organic " or " All Natural Fertilizers " being offered at a very low price or sometimes even free.

However - as I too agree that not all manures are the same and that you do need to be very aware of what they may contain and because of that are best acquired from a reputable source - especially when considering - that although we too - do have a problem with the over use of chemicals - we have the added one of these " Organic or Natural Fertilizers " containing high amounts of bacteria.

Although many of these manures are hay based too - they are normally combined with large quantities of animal manure - which as they are fresh and haven't been properly composted or aged - present more of a problem than just worrying about whether they may contain toxic waste - as apart from the fact that animal manures normally smell pretty pungent if fresh - they can burn plants due to the high mix of soluble nitrogen compounds and ammonia - but more importantly are a health hazard due to the fact that fresh animal manure is known to contain high amounts of bacteria and especially E-Coli - unless it has been properly composted and aged for at least six months.

Although I normally only use my own compost in my garden - if the rare occasion arrived and I had to buy some - I most certainly wouldn't buy anything organic or otherwise that wasn't certified - as properly composted and sterile - whether it be for ornamentals or edibles

I agree with everything you say. I hadn't thought about E-coli and that is scary. My main thought in reguards to this thread was to alert. It looks as if I should have been more alert to other things as well.

 

[headfullofbees]

I know my source of free horse manure well, and have never had any issues, even when we had a problem with amino-pyralid a few years ago.

 

[Chuck]

I know my source of free horse manure well, and have never had any issues, even when we had a problem with amino-pyralid a few years ago.

I don't know if the farmers over there use herbicides on their hay or not, but if one doesn't know it is better to be safe than sorry.

 

[gata montes]

I agree with everything you say. I hadn't thought about E-coli and that is scary. My main thought in reguards to this thread was to alert. It looks as if I should have been more alert to other things as well.

As I had thought that was the case and that by posting this thread - it was your intention to help others be aware of the dangers of using supposedly " Organic or Natural Fertilizers " from unscrupulous suppliers.

My post was solely intended to do just that - particularly as the problem with bacteria infested fertilizers is becoming a wide spread problem where I live and in no way was I meaning to make you feel bad at having not included it - as afterall isn't that what being on a forum is all about - we all help each other out

 

[Chuck]

As I had thought that was the case and that by posting this thread - it was your intention to help others be aware of the dangers of using supposedly " Organic or Natural Fertilizers " from unscrupulous suppliers.

My post was solely intended to do just that - particularly as the problem with bacteria infested fertilizers is becoming a wide spread problem where I live and in no way was I meaning to make you feel bad at having not included it - as afterall isn't that what being on a forum is all about - we all help each other out

I should have thought of it as I know what a problem it is. It seems like every other week there is some kind of E-coli outbreak, people dying and business destroyed. My sole purpose in spending my time doing these threads is to educate old and new gardners alike about the dangers of chemical gardening and I know I will sometimes fail to see the trees because of the forrest. And I really need all of the help I can get while doing it

 

[SamClemensMT]

That was brilliant. I never knew that. Some time ago in a post, I asked about putting manure on the lawn to thicken it up. I guess I would have used the remainder in the garden. I still may but not before performing that little dandelion test. Thanks Chuck.