Lets talk SH*T… So, we’ll start with the poo! It doesn’t matter if you’re 3 or 103, poo is funny!

Bagged manures at Nillumbik Nursery include:

  • Cow manure
  • Sheep manure
  • Chicken manure
  • Worm castings

Manures should generally be mixed at about a 1 to 4 ratio with compost.

5 in 1 (pictured) is a fertiliser that includes a mixture of manures, compost and other soil additives.

Manures improve soil condition over time by:

  • Increasing water retaining capacity and drainage.
  • Improving soil texture
  • Encouraging (good) bacterial and fungal activity
  • Returning/unlocking depleted nutrients.

Long term manure can decrease soil pH, so down the track you may want to consider pH testing periodically. Hot manures (chook & horse) have higher nutrient content which can lead to fertiliser burn if not sufficiently composted. Consequently, they need a longer period of composting compared to cold manures (cow & sheep). Some manures, like horse or goat, aren’t typically available commercially. If you have access to it, by all means, go for it. Most manure from herbivores can be used if you compost it well (minimum 6 months, with regular turning); composting manure means that it doesn’t burn plants, makes nutrients more available to plants for quicker uptake, and helps reduce the number of viable weed seeds. Home composted manures will still likely have more weed/seed material than commercial products, which are hot composted, aged and ready to go. If you can get your hands on alpaca/llama manure (we don’t stock it) – it is like brown gold for your garden! It has a generally higher NPK than other manures (however lower nitrogen than chicken manure) and will not burn your plants, even when used uncomposted.

Steer clear of dog and cat poo which can contain bacterial and other pathogens. And, don’t ask if human poo can be used – it’s a NO from me, that would be gross!

Which poo is right for you?

Cow Manure

Low phosphorus makes it a good choice for natives that are often sensitive to that element of fertilisers. Nitrogen is released more slowly- 50% in the first year, then 50% in the second year. So, if you use 25L per square metre, you would use half that subsequent years. Cow manure is great at improving soil texture.

Sheep Manure

Contains a little potash, making it great for flowering plants and veggies. Nitrogen is released more slowly- 50% in the first year, then 50% in the second year. So, if you use 25L per square metre, you would use half that subsequent years.

Chicken Manure

High in nutrients, especially Nitrogen. High nitrogen offers a good boost for leafy green foliage – great for lawns and veggie patches. The higher phosphorus content can be too much for many natives. Apply 5L per square metre each year. You use less chook poo, but apply it more frequently because 90% of nutrients are available to plants in the first year.

Worm castings (=worm poo/manure)

Can be used on anything! It doesn’t smell, so it’s a particularly good choice for indoor plants. Worm castings are full of probiotics (good bacteria), have a neutral pH and can are regarded as the richest natural fertiliser known to humans.

Finally, green manure is not poo, despite its misleading name! Bought as seeds, growing a green manure crop helps fix nitrogen in tired garden beds, most commonly used in veggie patches. You’ll also often get a free hit in pea straw.