Many gardeners prefer to utilize horse manure, as it is a major source of rich nutrients. It is also getting popular among home gardeners. When you compost horse manure, it will help the compost heap to get supercharged. Are you planning on using horse manure with your compost pile? If so, then you have come to the right place. Today we will discuss all about the best way to utilize horses’ manure in your compost heap, as well as a fertilizer.
Horse manure – is it a good fertilizer?
In rural areas horse manure is easily available, you can also get it through suppliers that are reputable. Horse manure is an excellent fertilizer for your plants, and it is also very economical. If you feel your plants are looking glum and they are in need of a boost, then horse manure will supply your plants with essential nutrients that will boost their growth. It has sufficient level of organic materials; it can also be utilized in numerous ways. If you look at its nutritional value, it is a tad high to steer of cow manure.
Horse manure – use it as a fertilizer
It is a well-known fact that, when manure is fresh it should never be utilized on the plants. This is because it will immediately burn the roots. But if the manure is aged well and has been dried out over winter, you can utilize in the soil and not stress about it burning the roots of your plants.
Apart from the manure having high contents of nutrition, it can also have weed seeds. This is the only reason why we always suggest utilizing horse manure that is composted in your garden. The heat in the compost kills the weed seeds effectively, along with harmful bacteria which could be present in it.
If the horse manure is composted, you can utilize it in your gardens at any time in the year. All you need to do is mix it with your garden soil and watch your plans grow greener and healthier.
Composting and aging horse manure
The organic materials in your pile that has gone through the entire process of decomposing will begin to look crumbly and brown. It will also have an earthy, fresh smell. When you mix and turn the pile it will not heat up. So, when you come across such a situation in your pile, you know that it is ready to be used in your garden. The amount of time taken for composting will vary depending on numerous factors, also the amount that needs to be used in the garden will also vary.
What does the manure contain?
If it has wood chips/ sawdust it will decompose very slowly. This is because the carbon content is extremely high. So, in such a case, you can always consider layering it with fresh grass clippings, because these clippings are high in nitrogen.
Horse manure will decompose with or without straw, however, if you are adding it to your compost pile, do maintain a balance of nitrogen and carbon. While composting horse manure you must also remember to have an adequate circulation of air. This is especially important in the process of decomposition. When you compost horse manure, the process will end with a consistent end product.
Well, that is all for this article guys, let us know how things worked out for you. Happy composting!