The nutrient levels in di5erent manures will depend on
proper management of the curing process and on the
amount of straw or sawdust in the manure. Optimally,
do no use more than 0.33 cubic feet per 100 square feet
(one-half 5-gallon bucket) of aged manure per year
(about 8.3 pounds dry weight, one 24-inch layer.) It is
best to use manure that contains little undecomposed
sawdust.
Much aged or composted manure actually contains
little nitrogen and may have a substantial amount of
nitrogen-demanding sawdust. If you use a lot of manure
containing large amounts of sawdust as a soil texturizer,
you may want to add some additional nitrogen fertilizer,
such as four extra pounds of alfalfa meal per 100 square
feet. Manures that do not contain much sawdust or straw
can contain excess salt and imbalanced rations of
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The GROW
BIOINTENSIVE method uses as much (or more)
phosphorus and potassium as nitrogen. This results in
stronger, healthier plants. It is a di5erence between the
GROW BIOINTENSIVE method and the French intensive
approach, which depended heavily on the use of horse
manure, with about 3 parts nitrogen to 1 part
phosphorus to 3 parts potassium. This ratio is
unbalanced in favor of nitrogen, which at times results in
weak and rank plant growth more susceptible to disease
and insect attack. A ratio of 1 part nitrogen to 1 part
phosphorus to 1 part potassium is better.
Composted manure is a microbial life stimulant and
brent
(Brent)
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