Re: Let's try this again
Much of the literature I've read is very down on use of raw
manure - not only because of the high K levels but because of
the other salts it contains as well as pathogens and weed
seeds. When manure is aged or composted it is usually left in
a pile for a year or more and the rains have a chance to leach
out some of the salts.
I've known of several folks who killed their soil by using too
much manure. I recommend that if manure is used it be well
aged or composted and that it be used sparingly.
Compost made from yard waste or other green waste is much
better for improving the OM of the soil without adding a lot of
undesirable salts, pathogens and viable weed seeds.... assuming
it is properly composted.
The addition of gypsum does help leach out excess K and other
salts from most soils.
vince
--- BChris1335@aol.com wrote:
> So why is composted manure lower in K+? Good compost should
> be made without
> excess water so that the nutrients shouldn't leach out. So
> shouldn't the K+
> level be high in compost as well. I'm not trying to be
> arguementative here (but I
> can be good at that). My K was reallllly high last fall and
> then I added more
> manure (dairy) before the results came back. So I'm expecting
> my K+ to be
> even higher this fall. The soil test has been sent just
> waiting for the results.
> So if manure and compost are high in K, do I dare add any
> more this season. Is
> there other manure that is lower in K?
> Brian
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