3 Reasons Why You Need to Add Manure to Your Garden

When I say manure, I am specifically referring to animal manure. In other words, the feces of horses, cows, chickens, or rabbits. This does not include that from your dog, cat or your neighbor with bad hygiene habits.

Manure, and more specifically, composted or seasoned manure has a tremendous amount of benefits for your home vegetable garden. There are plenty of great reasons as to why you would add manure to your garden, here are 3 to get you going.

1] Nutrients, Nutrients, Nutrients – This in my opinion is tops on the list. Manure has a tremendous amount of nutrients in it. As the manure breaks down it releases those nutrients into your soil giving your vegetable plants just about everything they need to grow, thrive and produce.

2] Slow Release – The nutrients in manure are slow releasing. This means your plants will benefit over a longer period of time as those nutrients slowly work their way through the soil. This also makes manure, composted manure that is, great to be used as a top layer of mulch for your vegetable plants.

3] Reduces Soil Erosion – Recent data published shows that manure helps coat the surface of soil which reduces the impact of rain.

As a side note, if you have fresh manure, be sure to mix it in with your soil at the end of your gardening season and at least 6 months prior to the start of the next season. You have to give the manure the necessary time to season otherwise it could fry your plants.