Strawy Manures
Manures With Straw in:
Cattle and horse are the most commonly used manures and they are the most available. They come mixed with straw that is used as bedding.
The analysis of the plant foods in these manures contain may make them look rather useless in comparison with a bag of bought fertiliser, but this is no reason to reject them, because it is not the whole picture.
Straw manure is applied to the land at much higher rates then bought fertilisers and their value is not limited to the plant foods they contain. Straw manures are particularly good for soil structure because they add bulk.
Fresh straw manures should not be used directly on the garden for four reason:
Unless the manure is from an organic source the straw is more then likely to contain residues of week killers and pesticides.
Nitrogen and potassium are easily washed out of fresh manure. This is a waste and could cause pollution.
Fresh straw manure contains nitrogen in a forum that is instantly available to plants; so, if you put in on the ground in the winter you will lose most of the goodness.
Fresh manure contains nitrogen in a form that can burn tender leaves.
Therefore, if you can get some fresh straw manures it is best to store in a heap for a year before digging it in the soil.
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