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Upa Creek, Mo

I know it depends on soil types, test results etc, and this is a very vague question, but just wondering on average how much manure\compost everyone applies to their patches each year and the size of the area? I grow in about 1200 square feet and am just trying to get an idea on how much is takes to rejuice after a season.

I added close to ten yards last year in early spring since the area was new and had terrible soil. So far for 2012, I have only added 2.5 yards and that was this last Fall.

Thanks

2/6/2012 3:33:39 PM

Hinckley MN

Manure varies considerably in nutrient levels. A very generic comparison would be: 1/2 yard of fresh poultry manure = 1 yard of fresh cow manure = 2 yards of aged cow or horse manure = 4 yards of compost. It isn't really that simple but if you don't have test results for your fertilizer, it is a place to start.

2/6/2012 5:15:08 PM

Hinckley MN

I'm a new grower and I apply 10 yards of aged cow manure to 4000 sq ft each year. I also add more fertilizers to each stump area, and foliar feed as well.

2/6/2012 5:20:40 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Thanks Ben, I only use aged cow dong with a 50% mix of compost.

I guess this is more of a survey as different gardens require different amounts.

2/6/2012 6:06:07 PM

Sourthern Utah

luke.. i grow on approx.. 1300 sq feet.. i added 13 yards of old cow manure this season,, well composted stuff,, in the fall,, as my OM was just a bit low,, but i have hvy clay soil so still in the works of getting it better,, IMO,, curt

2/6/2012 7:28:13 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I was wondering that too. Can you add to much well aged compost?

2/6/2012 8:39:46 PM

Nottingham, UK

Luke, my first year prep was poor and manure was only applied to a 5' ft sq pit about 1.5 ft deep. The pit was refilled with some of the soil and a trailer of semi aged manure. Didnt do too bad but I noticed that the the roots didnt go that deep.

This season I applied the same semi aged manure to the whole patch in autumn prior to any soil tests. I added to a depth of say 4-5 inches over the entire patch. If it was aged it would be 2-3 inches maybe. Not sure if I could have done this better or worse but I do remember reading a post from Pap that the worse thing you can do is overdo the application of manure and compost and throw your soil off balance.

Not familiar with the yards measurement, will check it out

2/7/2012 6:20:46 AM

Hinckley MN

Yards is cubic yards or 3x3x3 ft of material. Most bulk material is sold by the cubic yard or by the load of so many cubic yards.

I also added 10 yards of compost and 10 yards of peat/perlite each year to improve my heavy clay soil. so I've added 20 yards of manure, 20 yards of compost and 20 yards of Peat/perlite total as this is my second season.

2/7/2012 12:41:47 PM

Hinckley MN

Europe will sell by the cubic meter, or similar metric measure.

2/7/2012 12:43:34 PM

President - GPC

One of Barrys truck loadZ of horse poop....20 yardZ...huh Barry..??

2/7/2012 12:47:36 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Luke, tread lightly since you've already added a whole bunch last year. Once you get the organic matter up over 15% the trick is to keep it there while still ammending with your manure and compost.

I go with 5 yards of manure/compost blend every 2nd year and seek yearly advice from the soil overlords that have helped me build my patch soil to what it is today.

Pap once told me, when it comes to adding ammendments, soil, compost and fertilisers...."don't be a more on"

More is not always better...since you had a great breakout year with a new patch and untested compost blend...I'd stick with a moderate plan and continue to consult your soil overlord for more advice.

Cheers/Glenn

2/7/2012 3:18:33 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Thanks again for the input everyone.

Dandy, your first year sounds like the old school method that you can read about in some of the older books. What you did for next year is similar to what I did last year with the virgin soil. I just made sure to mix it in well. Two yards of compost is close to a heaping load in your standard 6 foot truck bed. At least that’s what I get here when I order 2 yards.

Well put, Glenn.

2/8/2012 9:07:55 AM