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Webster, NY

This has probably been asked before, but I can't remember the answer. When you put manure on, do you put it on in the fall or the spring? Which is better? I know if it is put on in the spring you have to be sure it is well composted, but all things the same, is one better then the other? Thanks...

Dave

2/18/2005 9:53:11 PM

Paradise Mountain, New York

I'm a country boy. My oldest brother owning a large dairy farm. Here in the northeast, we are in the snow belt region. Many farmer who can't spread there manure, pile it until spring.Then about April, they spread the manure on there fields and plow it under. Many fields are plowed in the fall and the manure goes on in the spring then disked in. I have put cow manure on in the spring and never had a problem. If you ask a good ole farm man what to do, he would say" What difference does it make."

2/19/2005 12:12:10 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Just one more thing... Many of the pumpkin growers are just town, city or village people. So the best way to get your answer is straight from the horses mouth. When your out in the country and you see a dairy or beef farm, stop in and chat with the farmer and see what he says. After all, they spread manure everyday on there farms.In my back yard, the farmer spreads liquid manure in the spring and you can smell it for a country mile.

2/19/2005 12:19:46 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Dave, if it is well rotted manure more than a year old you can use it right now this spring. However if it fresh stuff I would hold back on application until the fall. Too much nitrogen will result in wild fast growing pumpkin plants that produce lots of leaves and vine but little fruit. Fruit becomes very hard to set until very late into the season if at all.

2/19/2005 7:19:31 AM

Roanoke Il

Dave If you have fresh manure you can use it now but do not till it in right away spread it over the patch wait 2-3 weeks before you work it in your soil and you will be alright. If your soil test says your low in nitrogin work it in the soil in 5-7 days. Well rotted manure or composted manure doesn't have the nutrients that fresh does it takes more to deliver the same NPK values. Though there are advantages to compsted manure less weed seeds and the smell is gone. But it your soil needs a big push add fresh the key is not to work it into the soil right away.

2/19/2005 8:35:32 AM

[email protected]

Who gives a manure?........Kidding.

Ammoniacal Nitrogen will escape if fresh stuff is let to stand open for a while especially if the temperauture is warm. This can be a good thing especially if sporing applied since AGs don't need all that much N anyway.

As in most things, moderation is key. Half in the fall half in the spring would be nice if building OM with fresh stuff.

2/19/2005 9:15:45 AM

Webster, NY

Thanks for all the information guys. I think I'll add some composted stuff this spring and in the fall, put in more. I can get free leaf mulch from the town in the spring and will probably add that also.

Dave

2/19/2005 5:34:16 PM

Montoursville, PA

Dave, Getting the free leaf mulch, grass and other wastes like kitche waste is excellent compost pile material. Add some manures to the compost to help it along.

If you use leaves in the spring I suggest grinding them and using them as a mulch. This will do a lot of good things for you. They can be tilled into the patch come Fall. If you do this put your pathway boards on top of the mulch. Those leaves will create a small but important mini humus zone where they touch the soil. They prevent some weeds, improve moisture factors. They remain mulch until they become humus so time is not important. Just get some kind, of cover mulch working as a result, of your efforts.

You feed and support all good things with a mulch. I like to place this mulch begining when the secondaries begin, to grow towards the edge, of the patch. This spreads the workload while letting the soil warm up and be weeded, in a progressive approach. If you fall behind doing this you are about normal. These crazy pumpkins grow fast don't they?

2/21/2005 10:54:18 AM