Disposing of horse manure can be a daunting, continuous task. If youve got the patience, one great option is composting horse manure. The process transforms fresh horse manure and bedding into the perfect fertilizer for gardening and farming.
Composting could be a good option if you don’t have enough space to spread your manure on unused fields to dry out or if you don’t want to have it hauled away. Composting also makes the finished product smaller and less smelly, which is great for barns that are close to homes.
Reducing the fly population in your barn starts with managing your manure. First, you can give your horse SimpliFly Feed-Thru Fly Control to stop fly larvae from growing in its manure. This will stop house flies and stable flies from doing this. Composting can also help kill fly larvae, but it takes time and planning to turn manure into compost that can be used.
The USDAs National Resources Conservation Service says the following four ingredients are necessary for successful composting:
Horse manure that contains bedding like wood shavings, straw, sawdust or old hay is ideal for composting.
Horse manure, air, water, and a material like straw or shavings work together to break down the pile of manure through the composting process. The NRCS says that the pile will get to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills all the germs and weed seeds in the manure. This process will leave you with organic matter perfectly suited to fertilize plants and crops.
Horse manure can be a great organic fertilizer for gardens and fields when it has aged properly Using fresh manure comes with some risks, while well-aged manure provides only benefits This article will explain how long horse manure needs to age, factors that affect aging time, and proper application rates for gardens.
What Happens During Aging?
Fresh horse manure contains undigested organic material, pathogens like E. coli, weed seeds, and high nitrogen levels. During the aging process, beneficial microorganisms in the manure break down the organic compounds. This biological activity heats the pile to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills weed seeds and pathogens. The nitrogen also converts to safer organic forms that plants can utilize.
Well-aged manure is dark brown, crumbly, and earthy-smelling The pile no longer heats up when turned. At this point the manure is stable, pathogen-free, and ready to enrich gardens and fields
How Long Does Horse Manure Need to Age?
In general horse manure should age for a minimum of 6 months before use. If the manure contains wood-based bedding like sawdust or wood chips, it needs to age for at least 1 year to allow the carbon-rich bedding to break down fully.
Here are some factors that affect aging time:
- Bedding Material – Wood-based bedding increases carbon and slows decomposition. Straw bedding decomposes more rapidly.
- Management – Turning and aerating piles speeds aging versus leaving piles undisturbed. Actively composting manure reduces aging time to 6-8 weeks.
- Climate – Warm, moist conditions accelerate decomposition. Cold or extremely dry conditions slow it down.
- Volume – Larger piles retain heat and moisture better,decomposition faster. Smaller piles may take longer to age sufficiently.
With proper active composting techniques, horse manure can be ready for garden application in as little as 2 months. Without active management, aging can take over a year, especially if high-carbon bedding is used. Monitoring temperature and texture is the best way to determine when the manure is adequately aged.
How Much Aged Manure to Use in Gardens
These guidelines help optimize plant growth while avoiding nitrogen overload:
For flowers: Apply aged manure mulch 1-3 inches deep around flowers. The mulch suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and provides slow-release nutrients. Fertilize normally early in the season, and supplement later if plants need it.
For vegetables: Spread compost no more than 1 inch (2.5cm) deep, and till it into the top 6 inches (15 cm) of soil. Apply at least 2 months before planting seeds or seedlings. Fertilize as needed for optimal plant growth.
Annual application: Apply no more than 1 pound (.5 kg) of compost per square foot (0.1 sq m) of garden space per year. Excess nitrogen can accumulate and damage plants.
With proper aging and controlled application rates, horse manure fertilizes gardens effectively without risk of burning plants or spreading pathogens. Adjust application rates and timing as needed to suit different climates, soil types, and crops. Well-aged manure boosts soil health and plant vigor when used as part of an integrated organic fertilization strategy.
The Aging Process Up Close
Composting horse manure kick starts the important aging process that converts fresh manure into a stabilized organic fertilizer. Here is what happens inside an actively managed composting pile:
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1-3 days: Mesophilic bacteria thrive and heat the pile to about 110-120 F.
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3 days – 3 weeks: Heat-loving thermophilic bacteria take over. Temperatures climb to 130-170 F, which kills pathogens, weed seeds, and fly larvae.
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3 weeks – 3 months: Temperatures gradually drop back down. Mesophilic bacteria and fungi break down lignin and cellulose.
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3 – 6 months: The pile fully stabilizes. Given adequate moisture and oxygen via turning, the compost can now be applied.
Turning or agitating the pile provides needed oxygen to fuel the biological processes. Monitoring temperature informs when turning is needed to maintain aerobic conditions. Turning also mixes in cooler outer layers, regulating the temperature.
Active Composting Speeds Aging
Composting horse manure drastically reduces the needed aging time compared to passive piling. The key is actively managing the pile to create optimal conditions for beneficial microbes. Here are some tips:
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Build pile in layers: Mix 3 parts bulky bedding with 1 part manure to achive a 30:1 carbon to nitrogen ratio.
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Aim for approximately one cubic yard (1 m3) minimum pile size to hold heat and moisture.
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Turn or agitate the pile frequently to provide oxygen and regulate temperature.
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Monitor moisture and add water as needed so the pile is evenly damp but not soggy.
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Adjust bedding, manure, and nitrogen sources like grass clippings to fine tune the carbon/nitrogen balance.
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In warmer climates, a properly managed compost pile can convert raw manure to usable compost in just 6-8 weeks.
Safety Tips for Fresh Manure
While composting is ideal, it may not always be feasible. Here are some precautions when working with fresh horse manure:
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Wear protective gear like gloves, boots, mask and eye protection when handling manure.
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Wash hands thoroughly after contact with fresh manure, which may contain E. coli or other pathogens.
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Never apply fresh manure next to water sources, on cropped ground, or around food gardens.
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Allow at least 1 year aging if manure is piled without active composting management.
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Monitor aged manure piles, especially with wood bedding, to ensure thorough decomposition before using.
Following these basic safety guidelines prevents potential health risks and environmental contamination when dealing with fresh horse manure. Taking the time to age manure properly results in an organic fertilizer that enriches soil health.
Getting the Most From Your Horse Manure
Horse manure is a valuable resource. With some simple management, potentially harmful raw manure transforms into black gold for your garden! Follow these tips:
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Actively compost manure using proper carbon, nitrogen, moisture and oxygen. Aim for 6-8 weeks minimum active composting before using.
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If passively aging a pile, monitor temperature and decomposition. Allow 1 year if wood bedding is used.
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Apply aged manure mulch 1-3 inches deep to flower beds and around trees. It suppresses weeds and slowly feeds plants.
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For vegetables, limit application to 1 inch thick, thoroughly incorporated into soil at least 2 months before planting.
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To avoid nitrogen overload, apply no more than 1 pound of compost per square foot of garden space per year.
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Use aged manure to boost soil health. Blend it with other organic fertilizers for a complete nutrient profile to feed plants.
With some simple diligence to properly age and compost horse manure, it transforms into “black gold” that brings many benefits to gardens and fields. Allowing adequate aging time neutralizes risks associated with raw manure. The result is an organic fertilizer that nourishes soil, plants, and the environment.
When is it ready?
How long does it take for horse manure to turn into compost? Usually, it takes three to six months. The NRCS says this allows fertilizer nutrients to stabilize and weed seeds to be killed.
How long does it take for horse manure to turn into compost? Usually, it takes three to six months.
Select a composting location that is easily accessible with your tractor year-round. If you decide to put it outside, the NRCS says to use a concrete pad that drains well and is not near any bodies of water like lakes, wells, or streams. Ideally, the downhill side will have grass trimmed short to stop runoff. Youll be arranging the manure in long piles known as windrows for composting.
If you choose to compost indoors, you can find designs for compost sheds through NRCS. The best shed has a couple of wooden bins with a hole in one side so you can move the compost from one bin to the next. The fact sheet suggests using a front-end loader to do this.
If you don’t have a shed, you can make a manure pile with round hay bales around the outside or in a three-sided structure. Cover it with a tarp or plastic.
Before adding a tree branch or long hay to your compost pile, make sure to cut it up into smaller pieces. The NRCS says you might need to add water to the piles if they dry out so much that they feel like a “wrung-out sponge.”
A final note: Have your compost tested for fertilizer value before using it on fields and gardens. You want to make sure you know what your composts nutrient values are to avoid over-application.
Composting fact sheet: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1167345.pdf
Find your local NRCS office: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app
Don’t forget to turn it
To help composting happen, air and heat need to move around. This means that the manure piles need to be turned and mixed at least twice during the process. You may want to check the temperature of the pile with a compost thermometer. When the temperature is at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for three days, it will eliminate most weed seeds. The NRCS says to turn the manure once the pile has cooled down a bit from the first baking. Make sure to move outside material inward, and vice versa.
When the pile again reaches 145 degrees for three days, its ready to be turned a second time. Youll then let the piles continue to decompose for a few months.
Growing on a Budget Using Horse Manure
FAQ
How long before you can use fresh horse manure?
How long should manure sit before using as fertilizer?
How can I make my horse manure age faster?
Can horse manure be used immediately?
How long does horse manure last?
Some sources suggest it’s fine to use horse manure on the garden after three to six months, but at this age it could still be fairly coarse, caustic and bulky. After a few years it will have started to compost nicely, and whilst some of the nutrient levels may have diminished, the texture of the manure will be greatly improved.
Does horse manure age?
A key consideration is the aging process of horse manure before it’s added to the garden. Fresh manure can harm plants due to its high ammonia content and potential to carry pathogens. Therefore, it’s crucial to allow it to age and decompose, turning it into a safe, nutrient-rich compost that benefits the soil and plants.
How long does horse manure take to compost?
Horse manure is easy to compost and takes about four to six weeks to turn from stable waste to garden gold if you do it properly. Composting does take some effort. Constructing a pile 3 by 3 feet and 3 to 4 feet high helps the process to go faster. A purchased or constructed bin helps keep the contents in place.
When should you use horse manure?
Age is important, because fresh horse manure can be so high in ammonia that it will damage the leaves and roots of your plants. At this stage it will be smelly too. Some sources suggest it’s fine to use horse manure on the garden after three to six months, but at this age it could still be fairly coarse, caustic and bulky.
How long should manure be aged?
Properly aged manure improves soil structure, which means better water retention and aeration, essential for healthy plant growth. For my vegetable garden, I ensure that the manure has aged at least six months to a year. This way, I avoid high ammonia levels that can harm my plants.
What is aging horse manure?
Aging horse manure involves a composting process where organic matter is broken down by microorganisms, resulting in a stabilized product that functions as a gentle, slow-release fertilizer. It’s a transformation that improves soil structure, aeration, and moisture retention, which are essential for healthy plant growth.