Need help from anyone that knows about manure.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

My husband was trying to be helpful tonight and went to the hardware store in search of topsoil and compost for our garden beds while I was at LLL. He came home with what they told him was composted manure but is really bags of straight manure. He's already spread this half and half with topsoil in one bed- what should I do? I was going to plant some herbs and edibles in that bed along with flowers... can I still do that?

I'm stressed- help me out?

[Chicky2]

What kind of manure? If it is hot manure (cow, sheep, horse, chicken), then it needs to compost first or it can burn seedlings. If it is cold manure (rabbits, goat), then you can directly apply.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

It's cow. I am scared of pathogens and such in it as well. I think we're going to have to empty that front bed. What should I do with the soil/compost mix that is filling that bed now? Should I keep DS away from it? Is e.coli going to be a concern even after I fill the bed with something else and plant?

[Chicky2]

Just empty the bed into a compost pile until it is broken down. Just add new soil and compost to the bed. Don't sweat it about your son. Tell him it's poop and he'll learn. Seriously, we live on a small farm and deal w/poop every day of alllll kinds. We directly apply cold manure to our veggie gardens and don't think a second thought about it. But hot manure, no way.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

I'm super steamed because they TOLD DH at the hardware store that it was "manure compost" but there is nothing about compost on the bags, it just says "MANURE"

Anyway, thank you Chicky! I will work on finding some compost tomorrow

[Owen'nZoe]

Are you sure that it wasn't composted? I've never seen uncomposted manure at the hardware store. What does it smell like? What does it look like?

My bet is that it is just poor labeling, and you'll be OK.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

Originally Posted by Owen'nZoe

Are you sure that it wasn't composted? I've never seen uncomposted manure at the hardware store. What does it smell like? What does it look like?

My bet is that it is just poor labeling, and you'll be OK.

DH says it looks like soil. It smells.... bad. I'm pregnant so I'm sensitive but even DH realized that the car was stinky after he took it out.

[mattemma04]

I have never seen fresh cow poop sold at the store.All were composted.I would leave it and add some more top soil to the plot.

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by tinyactsofcharity

DH says it looks like soil. It smells.... bad. I'm pregnant so I'm sensitive but even DH realized that the car was stinky after he took it out.

IME even composted manure still reeks, so I don't think that's a good indicator I would doubt it was straight manure , uncomposted, unless I bought it from the side of the road (bags of poo for sale often here ).. as I have never seen UNcomposted manure for sale. Hopefully you will be fine with it!

[Owen'nZoe]

Originally Posted by tinyactsofcharity

DH says it looks like soil. It smells.... bad. I'm pregnant so I'm sensitive but even DH realized that the car was stinky after he took it out.

If it looks like soil, I'd say you've got composted manure there. And yes, it smells less than uncomposted, but it still does smell after it's composted. You should be fine.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

Okay, he called the company today and it's composted. They really need to label their bags better so that pregnant crazy ladies don't have meltdowns at midnight

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by tinyactsofcharity

Okay, he called the company today and it's composted. They really need to label their bags better so that pregnant crazy ladies don't have meltdowns at midnight

I did this last year. But as they said above, it's composted and my veggies turned out fine. Good thing!!!

[Chicky2]

Yk, I've never ever bought manure at a store, lol. Maybe that's why I didn't know they don't usually sell it that way. You should be good, then if they say it's composted!

Maybe you should try to find a source for nice local bunny poo. If you lived near me I'd sure give you some!

If you are interested in the future, lots of small family farms love to have people come out and scoop poo for their compost pile. I let people do it for free.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

Originally Posted by Chicky2

Yk, I've never ever bought manure at a store, lol. Maybe that's why I didn't know they don't usually sell it that way. You should be good, then if they say it's composted!

Maybe you should try to find a source for nice local bunny poo. If you lived near me I'd sure give you some!

If you are interested in the future, lots of small family farms love to have people come out and scoop poo for their compost pile. I let people do it for free.

I have a one block over neighbor with a large outside rabbit hutch (correct word?) maybe I will go ask them! How would I use it (pardon my newbie-ness )

[Chicky2]

Originally Posted by tinyactsofcharity

I have a one block over neighbor with a large outside rabbit hutch (correct word?) maybe I will go ask them! How would I use it (pardon my newbie-ness )

Then consider yourself lucky!!! Even just a handful of bunny poo will boost your compost pile like nobody's business!

Just add straight to your garden. Does not need to be composted first. Add a handful or two to your compost pile (assuming you are going to start one).

If they raise their rabbits for meat, btw, and you are not vegetarian or vegan, you would be surprised just how awesome domestic rabbit is! At any rate, most people would just love to give away poop, lol. Especially if you offer to rake it yourself (and a bit extra for them). There is usually PLENTY.

Here is a great link about gardening w/rabbit poo..

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/ite...-in-the-garden

[CariOfOz]

Originally Posted by tinyactsofcharity

Okay, he called the company today and it's composted. They really need to label their bags better so that pregnant crazy ladies don't have meltdowns at midnight