How to Mix Manure Into Topsoil

When an animal's manure decomposes, it is considered well-rotted or aged. Raw manure is sometimes mixed into soil, but the soil must then sit for a time before planting to avoid burning the plants' roots. Then, there is green manure, which isn't really manure at all, but a crop that is grown simply to till into the soil for additional nutrients. Depending upon the animal from which the manure is derived, it contains varying amounts of nitrogen. Use rotted cow manure for your flowering and fruiting plants and the “hotter” manures, such as horse and chicken manure, for plants that require lots of nitrogen, such as turf grasses and corn.

Things You'll Need

• 5-gallon bucket
• Manure
• Rake
• Rototiller, pitchfork or gardening fork

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Fill a 5 gallon bucket with rotted manure. If the manure is dry, the bucket holds 25 pounds, which is suitable for 25 square feet of soil.

   • 2

     Pour the manure onto the topsoil and use a rake to spread it evenly over the surface.

   • 3

     Mix the manure into the top 6 inches of the soil. The tool to use for this task depends on the size of the plot. Use a rototiller for a large area. A pitchfork or gardening fork works well for a smaller plot.