38 Basic Perennial Garden PlantinG & Maintenance
material into humus. It’s imperative that the manure has been composted to
temperatures high enough to kill weed seeds, or major problems will arise. And
all manure is not created equal, with chicken, horse, cow, swine, and sheep all
offering varying levels of nutrients. Conditioning properties will depend on the
animal source and on the bedding material used. Horse manure with straw
bedding, which is high in fiber, helps hold clay particles apart. Users of cow
manure swear by it, claiming that the nutrients are more readily available to the
plants than in other manures.
compoSt This catchall category includes homemade composts or commer-
cial composts from mixed yard wastes. We are all aware of the environmental
problem of solid waste. Today, we as a nation compost approximately 62 percent
of all yard debris: a promising trend compared to just a few decades ago. Com-
posting yard trimmings has evolved from a gardening novelty to a valuable
practice for our plants and our planet. But there is still much room for improve-
ment. Anytime we deadhead, prune, rake leaves, or collect and bag grass
clippings and throw them away, we contribute to the problem of adding com-
postable waste to overflowing landfills. Approximately half of all states have
enacted legislation banning yard debris from landfills. All gardeners and
industry professionals must support this action by composting and by utilizing
commercially available composts of yard wastes. Many soil companies and city
landfills will take yard waste at no charge and transport it to compostingAdequate soil preparation
is especially important—and
often easier—in raised beds,
where you are adding all the
components. A proper mix
will reward you with a thriving,
long-lived bed.