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Horse Manure: A Gardener’s Guide
What is Horse Manure?
Horse manure is the waste (poop) from horses. It’s often mixed with bedding material, like straw or wood shavings, to absorb the waste.
Benefits of Horse Manure for Plants
Horse manure is a great soil amendment because it’s full of nutrients that plants need to grow. It also contains organic matter, which helps the soil hold water and nutrients.
How to Use Horse Manure in the Garden
- Use well-rotted manure. Fresh manure can burn plants.
- Spread manure on the surface of the soil. You can use a manure spreader or a shovel.
- Work the manure into the soil. This will help the nutrients get to the roots of the plants.
- Mulch around plants with manure. This will help keep the soil moist and suppress weeds.
Which Plants Benefit Most from Horse Manure?
Most plants benefit from horse manure, but some really love it, like:
- Fruit trees
- Roses
- Dahlias
- Beans
- Peas
Which Plants Don’t Like Manure?
Some plants don’t like manure, like:
- Drought-tolerant plants
- Plants that need well-drained soil
- Plants that need low-nutrient soil
Where to Buy Horse Manure
You can buy horse manure from:
- Garden centers
- Nurseries
- Online suppliers
- Local stables
Tips for Buying Horse Manure
- Bagged manure is more expensive, but it’s easier to handle and has fewer weed seeds.
- Loose manure is cheaper, but you’ll need to bag it yourself or rent a trailer.
- Ask about the bedding material used. Wood-based bedding takes longer to decompose.
