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Decatur, IL

I didn't do any fall soil prep, and this spring I just worked up an area about 200 sq.ft. per plant (2 plants). I ammended with composted cow manure and mushroom compost. I've just been working up each site little by little as the plants grow. The one plant is at about 400 sq.ft.(The other flat vined and I'm debating whether to yank it.)and I want to finish working up the site to a total of about 600 sq.ft. I have access to some horse manure that's about six months old. Is this old enough to spread over the remaining area? Also, I could get finished compost from a nearby commercial compost site, but the cost will be quite a bit more. What should I go with, manure or compost?
Charlie

7/5/2004 9:42:42 PM

No Place Special

BOTH is my opinion. Thick on the compost and light on the manure. Some may think its to fresh but I wouldn't be afraid of a little of it.

7/5/2004 10:42:15 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Love that compost!

7/6/2004 12:58:19 AM

6 month old manure isn't too fresh in my opinion. it shouldn't burn the roots at all. compost is good as well. any organic matter is good to work in to your existing soil. i go for the cheap stuff, but that's just my ways, i'm a tightwad with money.

7/6/2004 1:39:49 AM

Kenyon, Mn.

I think both would be fine, I have used horse manure much "fresher" than that,I would be more concerned with the compost from a "commercial" site, I would be sure, ask questions, Is the compost actually FULLY composted, could it be contaminated with grass clippings containing herbicides? tree limbs and leaves from Walnut trees, If the compost has been done correctly....No Problem!

7/6/2004 8:36:52 AM

Ga.

I have used cow manure which was probably no older than 1-3 months taken straight from the pasture for last three years..I even put it in a pit directly under stump and have never had any burn problems..As long as it has dried out and not fresh,,should be no problem....
Jeff

7/6/2004 9:02:12 AM

Benton Ky

I put horse manure in my pits straight from the barn. I have'nt had any burn either. I layered it with soil not filling the hole pit with manure.

7/6/2004 2:20:44 PM