Manure Vs. Humus Compost

Fresh Manure

• Farmers and home gardeners are advised to wait four months from the time of applying fresh manure before planting root vegetables, leaf crops and strawberries. Do not use cat, dog or pig manure in gardens or compost piles. Fresh manure has a higher nitrogen content than composted manure, but is a higher risk for pathogens, such as E.coli. Pathogens in fresh manure can be transferred to food through soil and illness may result. The higher nitrogen content of fresh manure also leads to salt buildup over time. Fresh manure may contain viable weed seeds, which germinate and grow where the manure is used as fertilizer. Weed seeds are destroyed in the heat-producing compost process.

Composted Manure

• Composting destroys potentially dangerous pathogens in manure when the compost pile is maintained at a temperature of 131 degrees Fahrenheit or more for at least 15 days. The pile should be turned so all portions are exposed to the heat in the middle for at least three days. Manure composted in this way loses some of its nutrient content, but it also contributes more to the organic material buildup in the soil. Composted manure can be created in as little as 21 days when the pile is watered and turned regularly. Covering the pile with a tarp prevents nutrient loss from dehydration.

Humus

• Humus is the substance created from decayed and decomposed plant and animal material, including manures. It is the nutrient-rich substance that provides billions of microorganisms that make up a living soil ecosystem. Humus helps improve drainage and the filtration of oxygen through the soil as it promotes the overall fertility and health of the soil. The microorganisms in humus help reduce the buildup of soilborne disease organisms.

Application

• Fresh manure needs four months in the ground before crops are planted in it. Composted manure can be applied when it is dark, rich and crumbly. It is incorporated into the soil with a shovel or pitchfork so its microorganisms and nutrients can improve soil tilth. It can be added to houseplant potting soil, gardens, flowerbeds or lawns. Manure and humus-enriched soil improves over time as nutrient cycling increases.