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Location

Message

Date Posted

Fredericksburg, Virginia

I have a good source of composted horse manure that is well broken down, and has been aged for about a year. It has a fine texture, and you only see a biscuit occasionally.

I have planted seeds directly into this material in the past, and used this compost for several years as a mulch, but I am wondering if the plant needs more nitrogen for the first few weeks.

Tom V

3/29/2008 1:27:27 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Most of us grow in soils that are cool those first few weeks. As such, soil bacteria is moving slowly. Since bacteria is how our organic materials release Nitrogen, it is very common to "thirst" for soluble Nitrogen early in the season.

Whatever supplemental Nitrogen we use, we need for it to be done releasing when the soil has warmed. At this point, organic amendments will usually meet the needs.

3/29/2008 7:49:13 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

For the record, Horse manure has more Potash than Cow & somewhat less Nitrogen.

3/29/2008 7:50:31 PM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

How high is your OM in your soil? If you are already in the 10% range and you are adding more of this composted manure, I would go very lightly on the additional N. If you are lower and or if this is a new patch, 2-3 lbs per 1000ft2 (AMS) ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) would be a good choice. As Tremor suggests, you want this stuff to run out by pollination time. (AN) Ammonium Nitrate 34-0-0 or (CAN) Calcium Ammonium Nitrate 27-0-0, at 1-2 lbs per 1000 will also work.

Last year, I applied about 3 lbs per 1000ft2 of AMS when the vines began to run. My OM was about 7.5 and I did not apply any fall or spring manure or compost last year. This seemed to work just fine.

This year I heavily applied composted sheep manure in the fall and I don't plan to add any additional nitrogen this spring.

John

3/29/2008 10:40:54 PM

Fredericksburg, Virginia

I do not know the exact organic content is in the soil. I tested it two seasons ago, but I sampled at a lower depth than I was supposed to.

I last grew a pumpkin in this section of my garden two years ago. Last season I solarized the area during the growing season because in 2006 I had trouble with fusarium.

This season I am hoping that I will have less trouble.

Thanks,

Tom V

3/30/2008 1:39:44 PM

Sloughhouse, CA

Horse manure sometimes has weed seeds in it. Just be careful.

4/7/2008 4:15:45 AM