Common Manure Types and Garden Uses
With so many manure types, choosing the best for you garden depends on the application
The main types of manure used are chicken, cow, sheep, horse and what is called Zoo Poo, and yes thats from animals in Zoos.
You will also find what is strangely named mixed manure, and sometimes this has ‘filler’ in it as well, usually sawdust.
Then their are composted manures and fresh manures. So which ones do you use for which part of the garden?
You also have ‘Hot Manures’ and ‘Cold Manures’. The hot manures are the ones that are high in nitrogen and generally this is chicken manure.
The perennial garden, or general flower garden will thrive on cow, sheep and horse manure. And we suggest that composted or ‘aged’ manure is best. This has less chance of weeds and also has some of the ‘heat’ taken out of it which minimises the possibility of root burn.
The vegetable garden will love cow, sheep, horse or chicken manure. The chicken manure is best for leafy greens as it has lots of nitrogen in it.
Root crops do best with milder manures, cow or sheep is best, and not to much.
Manure Types
- Poultry (Hot Manure)
Used for Leafy vegetables, around citrus trees and lawns. It is high in nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.
How to use it. Mix it 50/50 with compost to reduce the heat.
Problems – If used to fresh or to much is applied it can cause root burn. - Cow Manure (Cold Manure)
This is used more as a soil conditioner than a fertiliser. It can be used anywhere in the garden. It is fairly low in nitrogen compared to chicken manure, low on phosphorus however high in Potassium.
How to use it. Dig it into the soil with some blood and bone. - Sheep Manure (Cold Manure)
Excellent in the veggie garden and also in the perennial or flower garden. More nitrogen than cow manure, about the same in phosphorus and potassium.
How to use it. Use it lightly as a top dressing, or dig it into the garden well before planting.
Problems. Uncomposted it can contain weeds in the form of seeds. - Horse Manure (Hot Manure)
Two types here, Stable manure and horse dung.
How to use it..This is always best used composted as it contains a lot to of weed and grass seeds.
Problems – Weed seeds. - Blood and Bone
Very high in nitrogen and Phosphorus, very low in Potassium.
A general use fertiliser for veggie gardens and ornamental garden beds.
Make sure you do not over apply.
And if you happen to have rabbits, rabbit manure is very high in nitrogen and phosphorus, so use sparingly and always compost it first. Manure is available in bulk and bagged from garden supply companies.