Different types of Manures

I am always looking for new and old methods for gardening. It’s that time of year where most of the garden will get pulled and prepared for next year. That means all the improvements, soil and fencing, are needed to be accomplished. Any expansions and amendments, like manures, to the garden should be done in the fall.

While looking for ideas I came across an article on manures. (Read the article here) I do have lots of that. We are up to 64 animals currently. Also the compost bins are getting pretty full. So, I did some digging around about manures and found from this article that I was blessed with the best poop! Yes, the best poop. Chicken, rabbit, llama manures are all high in NPK ratio. I found that duck manure is similar as chicken manure.

Why add in the manure in the fall?

Adding the manure in the fall allows it to rest for several months before growing vegetables. “Hot” manures like chicken and duck manures need to be composted or have rested for 6 months. This protects you from burning the garden plants. Adding manure in October, the manure would have rested in for six months by March.

Also adding organic matter into the soil in the fall improves the soil structure, attracts beneficial microbes, and earth worms. This gives me a head start on the next growing season. The ground will be soft and not compacted, easy to work with. Another benefit of adding to the garden now is that the unfinished compost will finish in the garden when you till it in.

My plans for this fall

I am planing on expanding the garden by 4 times its current size. The test location I created this past spring proved successful but not without its setbacks. The garden will be wrapped with a three rail split rail fence. Also the fence with will lined with 2×4 welded wire. One of the largest issues I faced this past season is the ducks and chickens stealing my veggies.

Next on the garden project list is to turn over the new expanded plot and till in all the compost I have in the bins. Since the bins are all full currently it will be a big relief to clear them out for winter. This will give be instant better soil structure. I will also be using the lawn sweeper to gather lots of leaves to till into the soil as well.

Finally I am adding a couple cold frames so I may keep harvesting greens all winter long.  The rest of the garden is receiving a “green manure” which is a cover crop mix.  This will help with fixing the nitrogen in the soil as well keep the freshly tilled garden loose with its deep roots.

More to come in the following weeks!