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Potential Benefits
Goat manure, like sheep manure, is drier than cow manure or horse manure. It has less odor and is easier to work with and spread. It also composts more quickly. Goat manure is higher in nitrogen than horse and cow manures -- on average, it has 22 pounds of nitrogen in 1 ton. Cow manure has only 10 pounds of nitrogen in 1 ton.
Potential Drawbacks
Because goats eat grass and hay, their manure might contain weed seeds. This is true of most grazing animals, including sheep and horses. Composting the manure destroys most of these seeds, but a few remain viable -- ready to emerge in your garden. To reduce this problem, always use well-composted goat manure. Spread mulches over the soil to thwart weeds and pull any weeds that appear quickly, before they go to seed.
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Use
Goat manure makes an excellent soil conditioner for new gardens, as well as established gardens. It improves the soil texture so it uses water more efficiently and allows more oxygen to reach the plants' roots. Goat manure, like all manures, offers a low-cost, natural source of nitrogen and other nutrients. Because manure contains small amounts of other nutrients, you will probably have to supplement it with other fertilizers, depending on your soil fertility. Spread 40 pounds of goat manure on a new garden and till to a depth of 8 inches. Spread 1 to 2 inches of manure annually on established beds and till under.
Cautions
Fresh animal manure, including goat manure, can contain pathogens that can make people sick. Always use well-composted goat manure, especially if you're using the manure on edible crops. If you opt to use goat manure that is rotted but not composted, apply it at least 120 days before harvesting crops that grow close to the ground, such as lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) or root vegetables. Apply it at least 90 days in advance for crops that don't touch the soil, such as corn (Zea mays). Just because goat manure is a natural product doesn't mean it's completely safe. When used in excess, it can run off, potentially polluting ground water. Till it in well and avoid using it on sloped areas, especially when heavy rain is predicted.
Goat manure, like sheep manure, is drier than cow manure or horse manure. It has less odor and is easier to work with and spread. It also composts more quickly. Goat manure is higher in nitrogen than horse and cow manures -- on average, it has 22 pounds of nitrogen in 1 ton. Cow manure has only 10 pounds of nitrogen in 1 ton.
Potential Drawbacks
Because goats eat grass and hay, their manure might contain weed seeds. This is true of most grazing animals, including sheep and horses. Composting the manure destroys most of these seeds, but a few remain viable -- ready to emerge in your garden. To reduce this problem, always use well-composted goat manure. Spread mulches over the soil to thwart weeds and pull any weeds that appear quickly, before they go to seed.
No Matches Found. Please try your search again.
Use
Goat manure makes an excellent soil conditioner for new gardens, as well as established gardens. It improves the soil texture so it uses water more efficiently and allows more oxygen to reach the plants' roots. Goat manure, like all manures, offers a low-cost, natural source of nitrogen and other nutrients. Because manure contains small amounts of other nutrients, you will probably have to supplement it with other fertilizers, depending on your soil fertility. Spread 40 pounds of goat manure on a new garden and till to a depth of 8 inches. Spread 1 to 2 inches of manure annually on established beds and till under.
Cautions
Fresh animal manure, including goat manure, can contain pathogens that can make people sick. Always use well-composted goat manure, especially if you're using the manure on edible crops. If you opt to use goat manure that is rotted but not composted, apply it at least 120 days before harvesting crops that grow close to the ground, such as lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) or root vegetables. Apply it at least 90 days in advance for crops that don't touch the soil, such as corn (Zea mays). Just because goat manure is a natural product doesn't mean it's completely safe. When used in excess, it can run off, potentially polluting ground water. Till it in well and avoid using it on sloped areas, especially when heavy rain is predicted.