Is manure a good soil amendment?
Yes! Manure is a great source of nitrogen and nutrients, as long as the manure is fully composted. If not fully composted, the manure will emit methane gas, which is detrimental to plants. Over-use of manures can contribute to excessive levels of nitrogen and potassium, as well as a lack of available phosphorus, which can cause excessive leaf and stem growth, delayed maturity and poor storage quality in flowers. Raw manures are higher in total nutrient content than dry manures, have a higher population of micro-organism and contain high levels of organic matter, however, the high levels of ammonium in fresh manure can burn plant material. Raw manures may also contain viable weed seeds, as well as high levels of sodium, which is harmful to soil structure and can severely inhibit the growth of plants. In contrast, fully composed manure should be odorless, have the appearance of black dirt, and should not burn plants when blended with other soil. Fully composted manure makes a great soil
