Manure Guide

By Jerry L Barnett

I have use manure from cows,horses,sheep and also had weeds from the pasture they were pastured in know matter how old the manure was. If you can find someone that raises rabbit use that manure. Make sure to spread it on in the late fall or winter.

By Almanac Staff

Hi, Tim, Usually animal manure should be aged for at least 6 months. Many gardeners and farmers spread fresh manure in the fall and turn it into the top 6 inches of soil a month before spring planting.
We recommend using newspaper pages as mulch to smother weeds and help keep moisture in the soil.

By Almanac Staff

Goat manure ages pretty quickly if you increase the airflow. Dump it out of the garbage cans into piles. Keep in mind that the smaller the pile, the faster it will decompose. Goat manure is great for roses. Just don’t put it too close to the stem. Spread the manure so it lies about 6 inches from the base of the plant.

By Stacie Meadows

Hi Danielle.
I have one rabbit named Buggs. He has helped my gardining for years.Buggs lives in a 5x5 wire cage.

I have pine straw under his cage. When it is time for cleaning under the cage,my son will put all the waste in a bucket and I will share it with all my plants. So it is aged and mixed with a compost of sorts.
If your manure is hot, mix it 4to 1. (4 equal parts dirt, 1 equal part manure) Watch your plants for a week. If they wilt, mix in more dirt. The key is watching your plants.
I find with any manure it is wise to use to little in the beginning. It is easier to add more than to take away.

By Jerry L Barnett

Rabbit manure is great. I always spread it on in the late fall cause it is very rich (hot) let it set all winter so all the goodies drain out from the rain & snow. Dig in very well come earlier spring.

By Stephanie Schneider

I use it all the time....I have rabbits & it doesn't burn like other manure. It's fine just the way it is.

By Almanac Staff

It's hard to say if this is true or not because adding any manure directly to your garden without aging can be problematic. All manures differ, so it's hard to give exact advice on how to best use it.
It is recommended though that rabbit manure be composted with plant material waste before being added to the soil. Composting the manure helps make the most use out of its nutritional potential.
I hope this helps!

By Catherine Boeckmann

This question is answered a couple times below.

By Almanac Staff

One way you can use earthworm casts is to top dress your soil with a 1/2-inch to 1-inch layer of earthworm casts. For potted plants, use about 1/3 casts to 2/3 potting soil.
You can also just place earthworm casts alongside your plants. This is helpful if your plants are in rows.
I hope this helps!

By Almanac Staff

Sure, you can! Just don't put hot manure in your garden. Make sure it is aged, otherwise it will burn your plants. Another thing to remember is that chicken manure is very high in Nitrogen, so you may need to amend it accordingly with carbon supplements. Depending on the makeup, the shavings may take a while to decompose. Good luck!

By Almanac Staff

Yes, they will be sufficient, but note in the chart above that chicken manure is not recommended as a 'best manure' for flowers. Since you live in the South, remember that peppers are very heat sensitive, so water them adequately. Happy gardening!

By Lettie

I squirt them w/windex; I guess the amonia in it kills them, does not hurt the plant; but its not a FOREVER FIX. I also use a mild, watered down joy liquid, its really the safest! GOOD LUCK!

By Garden Gal

"Safer" has a spray that is organic that works. It has BT (bacillus thuringiensis). I am not sure I can post a link so just do a search on Safer Brand Caterpillar spray.
I have used it and it does work well :)

By unknown

spray soapy water on them.