A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Free manure

I stopped by the local Stock Yard, and asked them about their cow manure. The person told me the pile is around back and bring my own shovel.

They have more than they can haul off, and it is free for the taking, I have to load it myself, and anyday of the week is ok.

So I guess I will load the shovel and buy a couple of those Rubbermaid totes and start shoveling Cow poop!

Hey...that's a good idea!

I live on a road that has more cow and horse pastures than houses...and last year I stopped at a house about a mile down the road and asked the farmer if I could get some horse poop out of his pasture. He said "Take all ya want!"

I did notice a lot of trash mixed in with the manure, mostly bottles. I will pick them out.

Heyyyyyyyy, Pat, can you bring me a load, or two?

Is the manure aged? Be veryyyyyyyy careful if it isn't! I used un-aged manure once in my veggie garden and I had the healthiest weeds in the hood.. The cows eat the weeds and the seeds are dispersed in their manure, just waiting to grow. the positive out of that deal was I ended up with some really nice looking daisy's grow too. I had to lay black plastic down in order to burn the plants and seeds so they would not come back.

This is a different form of manure... but what about rabbit droppings? There are many wild rabbits in the area - not looking forward to fighting with them over my veggies - and now that the snow has melted I see their droppings everywhere. Is it worthwhile to gather them up?

Mandy,
It would realllllly depend on youuuuu...
If you're into doing it, and there's some there,
it can not hurt by any means..

I have bunnies do the same thing in my garden over the winter, and ther'es piles of them..
And lucky for me *or unlucky for a plant or two*
they are right there in the perennial bed, and leave them right there, so I don't have to pick them up, there right there..

So, it would depend on you...

Hey, we even like worm castings enough, and my two boys reconize it, and pick some of it up and they give it to me... hey, keeps them busy for a few minutes, here and there, and I'll take those minutes..

Sure can but it is LONG way from Oklahoma to New York just for a load of poop!!

Hi Shirl,

I think maybe you answered my question before I even had a chance to ask it, but I'm going to ask it anyway, just to be sure. My friend's mom is coming down to visit the first week in July and she offered to bring me some horse manure. She asked if I wanted fresh or dried, but I didn't what to tell her. Can I assume by your post that I should tell her to bring the dried? Would the dried eliminate the weed seed problem?

Any information would be appreciated! Thanks!

patches

Dried would be better, the cow manure I will be getting I plan to let lay for some time, and will probably add grass and leaves to it as well.

Yeah, but think of all that fun and scenery you'd see on the way up.... lol!!!

Just kiddin' you!

Thanks Amigatec, I'll tell her to bring the dried manure.

Weezie, my poop is coming from Wisconsin all the way down to Southern Illinois. Isn't it amazing what we gardeners will do.

patches

Patches, Did I ever find out from you if you are
close to Calumet City and Gary Indiana????

Not very close Weezie, it's about 300 hundred miles NE of here. Actually, I'm right across the river from St. Louis, MO. Why do you ask? Did you want me to bring you some manure?

patches

nooooooo, *sure would be nice..*
I have relatives in those places...
Was wondering' how close you were to them...

But hey, if you're out drivin' around with some
manure, you can stop by annnnnnnnnnnnytime!

Wheezie, I used to go to Indianapolis a lot when my aunt was alive and lived there, but I haven't been to Indiana for many years. I don't go many places anymore so I guess I won't be driving by. I think it's funny that my manure will be coming from over 400 miles away. At least, I know I'm not the only ones thats

They've lived in Calumet City for like ever,
and we've only been there once..
It was such a long time ago...

Patches,
I am sorry I missed your post!! yep I would also opt for the dry stuff. Ask how long they have let it cure before mixing it in. I am scared of fresh manure now

Thanks Shirl!

Hey Shirl, our temperatures have really dropped since we had the nasty storms, so I think I'll make your slow cooker roast again tomorow night. It's so easy and good!

Have great day!

Hi everybody I was just wondering is there a difference between composted manuer or non? I have to buy mine so I was just curious of what the better was ?

Well we must have it bad, here we are all getting excited about POOP!!!

Goodmorning roomies!!

Patches- I believe that the heat in the compost pile, will kill any weed seeds. Good thinking! I am happy to hear you like the roast. As you said it is easy breezy and tastey. Hope things warm up for you soon. I definately do not miss the weather in the east.

spring Fever- I am not sure where you are buying yours. If you buy it in bags at the local box store you don't have to worry about it. If you buy it by the load I would go for the composted manure. The difference is...In the composted manure the weed seeds and patogens hare killed off. In the raw unprocessed manure they are still alive and well.

Ami! indeed!!

Have a soopaaaaaa doopaaaaaaaa day!

Also, uncomposted manure can burn plants or seedlings if it is used as a mulch or amendment around them.