Is there any point in using composted manure if I already used leaf compost in my garden?
I added 6 inches of leaf compost in my garden.
Should I add some composted manure? Or would that be a waste of money?
*the leaves were free…..
first: what type of leaves are they?
second: you said leaf compost means it already decomposed. Mostly no need for additional manure only it will fasten the decomposing along with some nutrients.
Third: depends what are you growing. if it is a perennial tree, alternate with leaf compost and manure at regular intervals.
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4 Responses to “Is there any point in using composted manure if I already used leaf compost in my garden?”
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You should mix them up. Leaf compost only contains the matter from leaves, while the manure adds more nutrients.
References :
first: what type of leaves are they?
second: you said leaf compost means it already decomposed. Mostly no need for additional manure only it will fasten the decomposing along with some nutrients.
Third: depends what are you growing. if it is a perennial tree, alternate with leaf compost and manure at regular intervals.
References :
am horticulture graduate
Do not buy any compost. Just add what you have. Six inches of leaves is equal to less than a millimetre of soil, so don’t count that as a goody.
References :
The phosphorus and potassium nutrients are covered by the compost, its the nitrogen you are after.
Both manure and compost have the N tied up in the organic form which must first be broken down by microorganisms. In compost it is all N, in manure a small fraction of the NI is in the inorganic ammonium/ammonia form which is available. Other inorganic forms such as nitrate and nitrite can also exist, but their quantities are usually very low.
If you are also using a complete fertilizer then manure isn’t needed. However if you are just going with compost, then manure is needed……..or better yet, how about blood or cottonseed meal?
Compost is mainly a soil conditioner…….nutrients are a wonderful secondary bonus.
The manure would also be a good starter for your own compost pile.
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