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Long Beach, CA

Currrently my only source for manure is a local Home Depot, where I buy it in 1 cubic ft. bags. I'm planning on adding some 3-4 yards of manure to my patch this fall, but this translates to 100 cubic ft. bags and a rather expensive $90. Getting manure from a farm might not be practical for me, as I live in the middle of metro LA, with many miles of city surrounding me in all directions. Does anyone know where I could find a source of cheap/free manure?

Thanks,
Oliver

6/13/2005 7:32:01 PM

[email protected]

Hi Oliver,

Locally, The Home Depot bagged manure is barely manure at all. It's mostly Peat Moss & compost. This might not be the case where you are. Just a heads up.

Metro/urban area growers would do well to look into Zoos, riding stables & Equestrian Mounted Police.

Metro LA has got to have some riding stables nearby. But don't be surprised if they already have their manure removal contracted to the company that is supplying The Depot.

Most mounted Police units around here pitch the horse manure into their dumpsters due to a lack of onsite composting space opportunities. Consider providing your own covered plastic cans & be prepared to make regular pickups. If the cans go untended, you won't be welcome to continue the practice. Coffee & donuts might help.

Keep in mind that Horse manure, while preferred to cow after composting, may create weed problems if used when it's too fresh. Make a compost pile & let it sit a year.

Be creative in your search & good luck.

6/13/2005 9:02:14 PM

Midway City, California

HI I belive there are a few horse stables along the 710 (long beach freeway) I have not been there lately but give it a try. I live around Huntington Beach and get my Manure at the stables there. Also If you have a pickup try some of the Garden supply places. I also buy a yard of compost for around 25 dollars or less. Water = John

6/13/2005 9:34:16 PM

Rhode Island

oliver

can you hook up with a couple landscapers in your area?

most are glad to have a spot to dump off grass clipings and a good pile of clipings broken down over the summer makes a great addition to your patch come fall

dick

6/13/2005 10:03:22 PM

San Jose [email protected]

www.craigslist.com I am a city slicker as well, (San Jose) went on craigs list, found some guy that has horses, not only did he give me the composted manuer, but it had a ton of redworms in it, I will be calling him this fall as well for some more free poop

Gary

6/13/2005 10:38:12 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Beware of "Steer Manure" This is the stuff from the big farms where they fatten the cows for market. In order to get them to eat more, they add salt to their diet thus their poo is high in sodium. Not as good unless you leach well.

Ben

6/13/2005 11:29:30 PM

Montoursville, PA

Getting into the heart of your needs. Coffee grounds are as good as any animal poop.

I have a local Dunken Donuts. They give me three to six five gallon buckets full a day. So much that I share it.

Starbucks has a national program, to provide their grounds to gardeners.

You can put a half inch over all every two weeks or so. Your worms will love it. If you do not have worms you soon will when offering coffee grounds. Any excess within reason may go into your compost. The paper filters will break down in the compost pile causing no problem.

6/14/2005 4:39:29 PM

Long Beach, CA

Thanks for the suggestions! And thanks Ben for your warning about the "Steer Manure" I was getting from HD, all the more reason to find another source of manure. I found several riding stables in my area; I will contact them and see if I can make an arrangement for manure pick-ups.

Oliver

6/14/2005 8:31:17 PM

Montoursville, PA

Llama poop is called Llama Beans. Those critters all place it at the same place within a location. Easy to shovel into your buckets or onto a trailer.

The quality is very high. It is relatively weed free and found in a highly digested state. It is nearly the value of good compost when it hits the ground. Has a very low odor which is very desirable.

6/14/2005 11:16:30 PM

Waterloo, Nebraska

Wow, too bad you aren't near my house. I have 7 horses plus a few chickens.
Jody

6/15/2005 11:27:03 AM