The Straight Poop on Manure: How to Turn Waste into a Valuable Resource

Living on a farm is fun and rewarding, but if you’re taking care of farm animals, you’re going to need to keep their living spaces clean.

That means shoveling a lot of sh#t.

Manure is a natural byproduct of raising farm animals and can be a valuable resource for your farm and garden. While it may not be the most glamorous part of farm life, manure can provide numerous benefits for your soil and crops.

Uses for manure throughout the year

1. Spring: Top-Dressing and Composting In the spring, manure can be used to top-dress your garden beds or added to your compost pile. By adding manure to your garden, you can provide a slow-release source of nutrients to your plants, which can help them grow strong and healthy. Composting manure can help create a rich, nutrient-dense soil amendment that can be added to your garden beds later in the season.
   
2. Summer: Fertilizer During the summer, manure can be used as a fertilizer for your garden. Fresh manure can be too strong for your plants, so it’s important to age it before using it as a fertilizer. By applying manure to your garden in the summer, you can provide a steady supply of nutrients to your plants throughout the growing season.
   
3. Fall: Cover Crops In the fall, you can use manure to help grow cover crops. Cover crops can help suppress weeds, improve soil structure, and prevent erosion. By using manure to fertilize your cover crops, you can ensure that they grow strong and healthy and provide your soil with valuable nutrients.
   
4. Winter: Composting and Soil Health During the winter, you can continue to compost your manure and add it to your garden beds in the spring. Additionally, manure can be used to improve soil health during the winter. By spreading manure on your garden beds in the winter, you can help improve soil structure and provide a food source for beneficial microorganisms.

It’s important to note that not all manure is created equal, and some types of manure are more beneficial than others. For example, chicken manure is considered a “hot” manure and can burn your plants if not aged properly. Cow and horse manure, on the other hand, are considered “cool” manures and are safer to use in your garden.

While manure may not be the most glamorous aspect of farm life, it can provide numerous benefits for your soil and crops. By utilizing manure throughout the year, you can create a more sustainable and healthy farm environment. So, the next time you’re cleaning out the barn, don’t overlook the valuable resource that is manure.