I understand there are some subjects that
Bloggers really should not broach.
I thought long and hard about even mentioning this.
I mean, it is something you would not discuss with
many of your closest family and friends.
But, I love you guys too much not to bring up this subject.
Cow Poop!
I know, I know.
Gross.
🙂
But, I simply cannot blog and promote gardening
without talking about this.
As I have stated a hundred times before,
I am not a Master Gardener.
I graduated from the
School of My Mama and My Mammy’s Gardening.
Growing up on a farm, it is understandable that I inherited a love f gardening, since there was always a very large garden every Summer. My family generally had at least an
acre or more filled with everything from tomatoes to okra to
sunflowers and everything in between.
The sweet corn would take up another 1/2 acre or so.
And I can’t even begin to remember how many rows
of collard and cabbage plants there were.
Summers were filled with canning veggies and
“puttin’ up corn.”
(that’s Southern talk for canning corn, btw)
I am determined that when I say “canned corn”
my grandchildren will think of this first…
… before this –
So that brings me to this post, which evolves around
prepping the garden to get as good of a crop as
you can get.
One of the “ingredients” I rely heavily upon is
cow manure.
True Country gardeners would turn their noses up
at this composted “retail” version of something many
farmers have in abundance, for free, in their Back 40.
But, we “Urban Gardeners” need to rely on the more
user-friendly purchased variety.
See pic below for the perfect example of an Urban Gardener.
My mentor and hero.
(well, not the insider stock trading part, but the gardening part)
🙂
Even if I had access to the “fresh stuff,” I would still
take a pass. The dangers of e-coli are too high when the
manure is not composted correctly.
Plus, there’s the smell. Ick
Composted Cow Manure is a wonderful source of nitrogen
and fertilizer. I do not use commercial brands of
fertilizer. I am as organic as I can be.
I prep my garden beds with a combination of –
1) Peat Moss
a) aerates soil
b) saves water by retaining moisture
2) Horticultural Vermiculite:
a) conditions the soil
b) also helps retain moisture
and
3) Organic Potting Soil
Because my gardens are raised bed gardens, I do not
have to guess at what the type soil I have to deal with.
I have one of these to help me work everything into the soil:
But you can also use one of these…
A little more time consuming, but it does the job.
There are lots of great gardening books out there.
Every book will give a different formula and/or
Ingredient List. All I can say is this is what works
best for my own garden.
This is also the “recipe” I use for my flower containers and
flower beds around the house.
I mix a big batch in a large wheelbarrow.
Do you start with fresh, clean and sterilized
pots every year?
If not, you really need to heed this advice. I know its very economical and time-saving to use the same soil in
your containers, but any damaging or harmful spores
leftover from last years plantings can remain in the
soil. I just use a 2-1 water/clorox solution to clean them
out well, and make sure they are rinsed really good.
So I hope I did not embarrass you by broaching a very
delicate subject – poop. Rather, I hope you realize what a valuable gardening ingredient is contained within those small plastic bags with the cute pictures of cows on the front.
🙂
Happy Gardening!
Blessings, Barb
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Great tips Barb!…Do you think the cow poop will keep the deer away too?
I am looking forward to seeing your garden!!
View Comment♥ Sonny ♥ says
wow Barb, this is a great and very timely post.. so thanks for all this tips..
I just looked this morning on craigs list and found some clean mature manure:) only 8 a scoop-a garden scoop I mean so thats cheap to cover a 8×8 garden space. My neighbor has a fab garden every year and thats what he uses.
Happy Gardening to you too.
View CommentShelia says
You’re so funny! And cow poop certainly has it’s place.
View Commentbe a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Kathysue says
Barb, thank you so much for posting this. I know I can learn a wealth of information from your gardening experience! All great advice and always an entertaining read. Thank you, love you bunches,
View CommentKathysue
NanaDiana says
I use almost the same formula you do. I add a bit of cocoa beans to my mixture. Would you believe I rough rinse my pots and then put them through the dishwasher? I know–not normal but I have been known to put all kinds of things in there. I can’t wait to start doing some planting….we are about 6 weeks away from outside plants here- xo Diana
View CommentCeekay- Thinkin of Home says
Well I am no gardener…but I do believe God intended nature to be used in helping each other…so cow poop it is!
View CommentNever thought I would leave a comment on cow poop…but hey, never say never!!!
cottonreel says
This time of the year they are spreading slurry on the fields where I live and the smell is horrendous
View Commentpat says
What an awesome post Barb. I learned so much, and of course laughed. Thanks so much!
View CommentLinda@Coastal Charm says
Thanks for all the wonderful tips Barb! Hop over on Friday, because you have been featured at Coastal Charm:) Please feel free to grab my starfish featured button for your blog.
Blessings,
View CommentLinda
✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life says
Hi Barb,
Your so funny and I totally agree.
Happy Gardening!
Dee
View Comment