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Location

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Webster, NY

How late can you put down manure before you plant? I wasn't able to get any in the fall and will have to put it down this spring sometime.

Thanks
Dave

4/3/2007 8:05:50 PM

Montoursville, PA

I have never placed less than three year old nearly finished compost in the spring.

4/3/2007 8:45:43 PM

Western NY

This year, i'm doing the same thing I did in the spring of 2005. I got some horse manure with sawdust in it, which is a mix of fresh stuff and some slightly aged. I put it in piles in the garden, and cover the piles with a sheet of plastic. This heats it up very quickly, and in a few weeks it has cooked well enough for me to spread, just in time to be plowed under before planting.

4/3/2007 9:03:31 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Unless it's really, really composted, I'd avoid it. I happened to do that twice (put down manure in the spring), once on purpose and once on accident (last year, long story). The bottom line is that it really wiped me out each time.

Now, if you're really composting it, getting the right C/N ratio and doing it right, that would probably work. (Who would argue with Andy's 2005 year? ;-)) But you've got to get the right C/N ratio, get it heated up, etc. Without the right ratio, it won't go anywhere.

4/3/2007 11:18:58 PM

No Place Special

I dont think a little fresh manure in the spring hurts one bit. I just wouldnt put it on very thick.

4/4/2007 12:17:49 AM

Webster, NY

Thanks for the advice all. Maybe I'll avoid it this spring and double up in the fall for next year.

4/4/2007 4:21:24 AM