Fertilizing Question's

**PurpleButterfly** · 03-23-2005, 11:47 PM

Is manure too strong of a fertilizer to use in container gardening?

**forestdale** · 03-24-2005, 01:12 AM

Lynn, generally manure is too strong for container plants. Is it fresh manure or has it aged a lot?

There are two options if you have a supply of cow, horse, sheep etc. manure. One is to make a tea from the manure - it's a bit smelly and you'll have to do it away from the house, but the plants will love it. Just put two shovel fulls of manure into a container and fill with about 5 gallons of water. Let it steep, like tea. After a few days, take some of the brew, and mix it in your water can with water. You'll need to dilute it at 1 part manure tea to 3 parts water.

The other option is to use the manure to make compost. See our other threads on composts.

**PurpleButterfly** · 03-24-2005, 01:37 AM

Thx, i believe it has aged. It was in a bag a neighbor left behind.

**forestdale** · 03-24-2005, 02:43 PM

Lynn, if it's aged and really dried out, you can mix it in with your potting mix. About 1 part manure to 3 parts potting mix should be fine. If there's any moisture in it at all, I'd make the tea instead.