From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ashby, MA

What's the ideal number of months the following manures should be aged prior to using them in your patch:

* horse: ???
* cow: ???
* chicken: ???
* other?

12/16/2011 10:32:41 AM

Springfield, VT

It really is not a time frame but how far it has broken down by decoposition. It is usually ready when the material is black and crumbly.

12/16/2011 11:38:16 AM

Radda in Chianti (SI) Italy

Hi gpierce.
I think it depends on several factors like pile's moisture, internal and external temperature ... etc
You can sort out when the compost is ready, when the heat inside the pile stops, when the pile consistency and colour becomes uniform and when the stink turns into scent.
This is my experience.

12/16/2011 1:00:31 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Depends on if you are looking for organic matter or nutrient content.. Aged Black and crumbly with a sweet fresh turned soil smell. Almost with the texture of coffee grounds. If your not sure throw some radish seeds in it.

12/16/2011 1:20:02 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

I like to see wormZ in my compost...then you know as well.....this iZ good stuff.....

12/16/2011 2:17:28 PM

Alaska

For me it has to pass the smell test. Not a certain amount of time.

12/16/2011 3:08:29 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

Manure should not stink
I like the smell test also

12/16/2011 3:42:17 PM

Muddy Waters

There is no too long.I use some thats (horse)10 years old.Its brown Gold loaded with a lot of Nutrients.

12/16/2011 6:47:56 PM

Ashby, MA

Thanks everyone, I put in 4 yards of horse manure this year which was aged over a couple of years. I was wondering if it lost some of its nutrients. Doesn't sound like it. As far as the smell test. It didn't smell at all and it did have the appearance of coffee grounds. Now I can't wait to see how it works come spring time!

12/17/2011 9:43:24 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

One important point about the composted manure is that it should be covered as it composts so that the rain does not wash out the nutrients. Nitrogen is especially vulnerable.

12/17/2011 12:42:51 PM

Hinckley MN

Manure starts losing nutrients the moment it exits the animal. Manure loses nitrogen rapidly as it is exposed to air. It also loses other nutrients as it is exposed to rain. Even in composting you loose nutrients to the soil under the pile and to the air. Aged manure is just composted or partially composted manure. It has lost nutrients. Lots of nutrients. but luckily, you can just add more of it to the garden and gain the benefits of improving soil texture.

12/18/2011 11:10:18 AM

Muddy Waters

It was explained to me that compost materials give something for the amendments we add, to grab onto & stay in the soil,instead of washing away.It also makes loose soil for better root growth.So is better to use older compost or newer?Im not sure but if its still stinkin Im thinkin disease??right? or wrong??

12/18/2011 3:17:35 PM