Finding and Buying Quality Manure Compost Near You

As every gardener knows, adding nutrient-rich organic matter to soil is crucial for growing thriving plants. Manure compost offers an excellent way to improve soil health while recycling waste from farms and stables. The nutrients and organic content in manure feeds soil microbes and provides slow-release fertilization.

But with so many types and sources of manure compost available, how do you find and choose the best product for your needs? Here is a guide to locating high-quality composted manure close to home and selecting the right amendment for your garden or farm.

Why Use Manure Compost?

Composted animal manures provide a gentle, natural fertilizer that helps build rich, fertile, living soil. Here are some key benefits of using manure compost:

• Releases nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium over time to nourish plants
• Encourages helpful soil microbes
• Improves moisture retention and nutrient availability
• Adds organic matter to improve soil structure
• Supplies micronutrients needed for plant health
• Reduces waste by recycling manure into a useful product

When composted properly, manure is free of pathogens, viable weed seeds, and other concerns often associated with raw manures Mature compost has a pleasant, earthy aroma instead of strong odors

Where to Source Locally-Produced Manure Compost

You have several options for finding composted manure close to home

Local farms – Dairy farms horse stables, chicken coops, and other livestock operations often produce more manure than they can use. Many give it away or sell it affordably.

Municipal composting facilities – Check with your city, town, or county to see if they offer compost products, which are sometimes made with manures.

Feed and farm supply stores – Many carry bagged manure composts and can order bulk loads.

Landscapers or nurseries – They frequently offer compost delivery or know trustworthy local sources.

Online directories – Resources like LocalHarvest.org list small local farms that sell manures and composts.

Ask any potential supplier about their composting methods and feedstock sources. Reputable producers properly compost and test their products.

Key Types of Manure Compost

Cow or steer manure – This has moderate nutrient levels and an earthy scent. Cow manure compost is suitable for vegetables and flowers.

Horse manure – Often used for mulching, it has a high carbon to nitrogen ratio. Allow at least 3 months composting time before using in beds.

Chicken manure – High in nitrogen, chicken compost requires caution to avoid burning plants. Look for well-aged chicken manure.

Sheep, goat, rabbit manures – These have similar properties to cow manure compost, though may be found less commonly.

Mixed animal manures – Compost blends offer a diversity of nutrients. Ask the producer about their mixture.

Ideally, choose compost aged 6 months or more. Well-composted manure is dark, crumbly, and earth-scented.

Questions to Ask Potential Suppliers

Here are some key questions to ask when contacting local manure compost sources:

• What animals does the manure come from?

• How is pathogen and weed seed destruction ensured during composting?

• How long is the manure composted for?

• What are the N-P-K nutrient ratios?

• Can I see current lab analysis reports for the compost?

• Are there contaminants like residual pesticides, medications, or heavy metals present?

Reputable producers should willingly answer questions and provide documentation about their composting practices and finished compost quality.

Buying in Bulk for Large Jobs

For significant garden and landscape projects or farm applications, buying manure compost by the truckload is ideal. Bulk loads range from around 10 to over 20 cubic yards. Here are some tips for buying in bulk:

• Calculate your needs – how many cubic yards required for the project or area?

• Ensure access for large trucks to navigate the delivery site.

• Ask about delivery charges – these vary based on mileage and local factors.

• Inquire about discounts for higher volume purchases.

• Schedule deliveries at least several days in advance whenever possible.

• Have a loader or spreader ready to disperse the compost, unless included in delivery service.

Ordering ahead helps ensure you get the amount of compost needed for your timeline. For very large quantities, some producers may require a deposit.

Using Manure Compost Safely and Effectively

Follow these guidelines to get the most benefits from manure compost additions while staying safe:

• Check that the material has been fully composted to avoid problems with raw manure.

• Wear gloves and a dust mask when handling dry bulk compost.

• Apply compost before planting or seeding new areas.

• Till or work compost into the top 6-12 inches of soil.

• Start with thinner layers around 1-2 inches, and retest soil before adding more.

• Adjust other fertilizers based on nutrients supplied in the compost.

• Wash produce thoroughly after harvesting.

With appropriate sourcing and handling, manure compost offers a time-tested, sustainable way to increase soil health and fertility organically. Locating a quality local supplier makes harnessing the benefits of composted manure easy and affordable.

Where to Find Manure Compost by State

Here are some top in-state resources for finding and buying bulk composted manure across the United States:

Alaska

• Alaska Mill & Feed – Compost and garden supplies
• Alaska Peony Root – Horse and chicken manure compost

Arizona

• Arizona Worm Farm – Organic compost products

Arkansas

• Earthworks – Natural fertilizers and compost

California

• Norcal AG Service – Bulk compost delivery

Colorado

• Arkansas Valley Organics – Organic compost

Connecticut

• Typical Acres Farm – Local composted manure

Delaware

• Loblolly Stables – Horse manure and wood compost

Florida

• Teena’s Pride Farm – Local composted horse manure

Georgia

• Georgia Organics – Compost suppliers directory

Hawaii

• Hawaiian Earth Products – High-quality compost blends

Idaho

• Darling Ingredients – Organic fertilizers

Illinois

• Midwest Bio-Systems – Organic compost products

Indiana

• Indy Organics – Natural compost and mulch

Iowa

• Iowa Organics – Composted manure and topsoil

Kansas

• Solid Waste Agency – Yard waste compost

Kentucky

• Kentucky Organics – Local composted manure directory

Louisiana

• Laughing Buddha Nursery – Organic compost and fertilizers

Maine

• We Compost It! – Local composted manure products

Maryland

• Maryland Organic – Lists of in-state suppliers

Massachusetts

• Bay State Fertilizer – Compost and organic fertilizers

Michigan

• Michigan Organics – Compost and organic materials

Minnesota

• Minnesota Organic Recycling – Compost solutions

Mississippi

• Mississippi Organics – Compost association member directory

Missouri

• Missouri Organic – Recycling and composting directory

Montana

• Western Montana Compost – Locally made compost

Nebraska

• Bootstrap Compost – Omaha area compost

Nevada

• Green Solutions – Compost, mulch, and soils

New Hampshire

• North Country Organics – Composted manure and soils

New Jersey

• Jersey Organics – Garden compost and supplies

New Mexico

• Soilutions – Albuquerque composted manure

New York

• Martins Farm – Long Island compost products

North Carolina

• NC Organics – Recycling and composting directory

North Dakota

• Dakota Landscaping – Compost and organic materials

Ohio

• Ohio Compost Association – Compost supplier directory

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma Organics – Recycling and composting groups

Oregon

• Organical – Statewide directory of suppliers

Pennsylvania

• Keystone Organics – Organic compost association

Rhode Island

• Rhode Island Organics – Composting resources

South Carolina

• Grow Food Carolina – Organic farms and suppliers

South Dakota

• Dakotamics – Compost and organic fertilizers

Tennessee

• Living Web Farms – Quality compost products

Texas

• Texas Organics – Recycling and composting directory

Utah

• Utah Organics – Compost and soil resources

Vermont

• Vermont Organics – Composting information and suppliers

Virginia

• Virginia Organics – Recycling and compost associations

Washington

• GROCo – Premium compost blends

West Virginia

• West Virginia Organics – Recycling and composting resources

Wisconsin

• Dirty Girl Compost – Local composting services

Wyoming

• Wind River Compost – Commercial composting operation

Check municipal and university agricultural extension resources for local compost and manure suppliers in your state.

Don’t Settle for Subpar Compost

Quality composted manure makes all the difference in soil improvement. With an awareness of what to look for and where to source it locally, you can find and buy excellent manure compost to give your plants and soil a healthy boost. Take time to ask questions and understand your options – it’s well worth seeking out compost producers that properly age and test their products. Your plants and soil ecosystem will thrive with the addition of high-grade composted manure tailored to your region and needs.