Can you use cow manure as fertiliser for gardenias?

[Apapa7]

Hi, I have a new leftover bag of cow manuare, can it be used to fertilise gardenias so I don't end up throwing it away?

[EricL]

Hello @Apapa7

Thanks for sharing your question about using manure for your gardenias. Back in the day, my grandfather told me to leave the cow manure out in the sun for a few days to dry it out. He then told me to mix it well with regular garden soil and to make sure to use it at least a palm width away from the main branch of the plant. There was no science or explanation for his instructions, but it has never failed to improve the condition of my plants.

My number one tip is to make sure not to use fresh manure on your vegetable plants as it contains bacteria. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Noelle and @Adam_W for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Noelle]

Hi @Apapa7 

Eric's advice is excellent and is based on science in addition to good old-fashioned gardening know-how!  His grandfather knew a thing or two about the subject, we can presume.

Any type of manure (cow, sheep, chicken, stable/horse) should be well "weathered" (that is, left out in the sun and weather for a period of time) before it is used on the garden.  This ensures excess urea, which could burn plants, is leached out and the decaying process has begun. The point about at least a palm's width away from trunks and stems is very important, again to minimise the risk of burning of the stems.

The best manure is old cow pats or sheep droppings picked up in the paddock when they've dried out. If you have access to fresh manure, build a pile in an out of the way corner of the garden and forget about it for three or four months. By the time you remember it again, it will be in perfect condition to be added to the garden. Don't add to think a layer and make sure to fork it well through the top 300mm or so of soil.

[Apapa7]

The leftover bag is at least 6 months old. Instead of drying it out can I just mix t in with the soil a palms length away from any stem now

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Apapa7,

Can I please confirm whether this is cow manure collected from a field that has been sitting in a bag or a bag of processed cow manure that you've purchased from a shop like ANL 25L Cow Manure?

To the best of my knowledge, the cautions @EricL and @Noelle have touched upon above are more about fresh cow manure that's high in urea. Our ANL cow manure is composted and pasteurised and would be considered relatively well-weathered already. It's ready to use in appropriate quantities. You could just spread it around your plants whilst keeping a distance of 10cm from their trunks.

Mitchell

[Apapa7]

It's a bag from a shop, not fresh off a farm

[MitchellMc]

Thanks for the info, @Apapa7. Then I can't see any issues with you adding the remainder of the bag around a few plants. 

Mitchell

[Noelle]

Spot on @MitchellMc   Bagged manures of all types have already been well weathered and are "ready to use" straight from the bags!  The processing they go through eliminates pathogens and reduces the urea content making them safe for even tender young seedlings when used as instructed on the label.