Dan Listermann wrote:
"David Hare-Scott" wrote in message
...
SteveB wrote:
I live in the middle of pasture land. Lots of free cow patties. My
wife seems to think that this would make good fertilizer, or at
least good mulch if tilled in.

Other than using fresh dung for the production of food, are there
any downsides to using manure? I believe I once read that stall
manure had high levels of urea, and would not be good to put on plants.
This is pasture manure, so it would not have as high urine level as
stall manure.

A furphy, urea is good fertiliser.

Yeah, I know I can go buy fertilizer, too. But I can also take the
money I save and go fishing a few times.


Why not use it if its free and save the petrochemicals that
typically go into synthetic fertiliser.

Tips and caveats on manure use? Good/bad for flowers or areas where
I am going to put lawn?

Thanks.

Steve

Cow pats are good for gardens. Cow and horse manure both provide
beneficial organic matter and nutrients. There is little in the way
of harmful pathogens in them and once dried out or composted briefly
they are fairly inoffensive. I would say go for it, there is much
to gain and little to lose.

David

What about pigeon poop?

It's excellent but more as a source of nutrients than organic matter. It is
quite high in nitrogen, especially when fresh, so it should be mixed in with
other material, or added to compost, or risk burning your plants.

David