For homesteaders like us, looking to cultivate thriving gardens and raise some livestock, the use of our own fertilizers like goat manure was a game-changer.
Goat manure is not only an excellent source of essential plant nutrients but also offers numerous benefits for garden soil health!
We’ve had such success with goat manure for our gardens that we wanted to create this post to outline the basic methods and reasons for, and answer common questions about, incorporating your goat’s manure into your gardens.
Effects Of Goat Manure On Plants
Much like any manure, goat manure is a fantastic natural fertilizer for gardens.
Its rich organic matter:
- Improves soil structure
- Enhances water retention
- Promotes beneficial microbial activity
Plus, unlike cow or horse dung, goat manure is pretty clean and easy to transport in a wheelbarrow from your goats paddock to your garden.
When applied correctly, it can boost plant growth and enhance the overall health of your veggie and fruit plants.
What Plant Nutrients Does Goat Manure Contain
As almost 70% organic matter, goat manure can greatly enrich the soil your plants are growing in. The manure will contain any undigested and all fully digested food waste that your goats have eaten.
It will also contain certain bacterias, thanks to the goat’s ruminant digestive system, and can serve to inoculate your garden soil with much needed microbes!
Goat Manure NPK Ratio
Goat manure’s NPK ratio depends on its age and if it has been composted or not. Composting generally increases all nutrient levels!
N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), and K (potassium) are essential plant fertilizers usually described by percentages by weight, and we’ve found research that states their values pre and post composting:
- 1.34% to 2.23% Nitrogen
- 0.54% to 1.24% Phosphorus
- 1.56% to 3.69% Potassium
Note: Nitrogen is essential for healthy green growth on plants, phosphorus aids in healthy fruits and flowers, and potassium boosts root growth!
And while goat manure may not be as concentrated as some synthetic fertilizers, its slow-release nature ensures a steady supply of nutrients to plants over time, reducing the risk of over-fertilization.
How Long Should Goat Manure Age Before Using
Fresh goat manure, like fresh cow and horse manure, can be too potent for plants, although we’ve found that if you just use a bit of fresh manure they should be fine.
Anyway, we do suggest aging or composting it before use: composting goat manure for approximately six months to a year allows it to break down, kill potential pathogens, and stabilize nutrient levels.
How To Compost Goat Manure in 5 Steps
These are the basic steps to how we compost our goat’s manure:
- Prepare Materials: Gather goat manure, carbon-rich materials (straw, leaves), a compost bin or pile, and water.
- Layering: Start with a 6-inch layer of carbon materials in your compost bin or pile for aeration.
- Alternate Layers: Add goat manure and carbon materials in alternating layers, with manure making up about 25-30% of the mix.
- Maintain Moisture: Keep the compost damp, like a wrung-out sponge. Adjust moisture as needed.
- Turn and Wait: Turn the pile every few weeks to aerate it. Composting takes 6 months to a year. When it’s dark, crumbly, and odor-free, it’s ready for your garden!
How To Use Goat Manure For Gardens
When using goat manure in your garden, it’s best to mix it into the soil during the preparation phase, ideally in the fall or early spring before planting.
We always allow our goat manure to compost over the winter months and then mix it into our garden plots in early spring!
Alternatively, throughout the growing season, you can also use it as a top dressing around established plants. Be cautious not to overapply, as excessive manure can lead to nutrient imbalances or salt buildup!
Check this out: you can also use poop from your other homestead animals as garden fertilizer! Learn more about rabbit poop as fertilizer.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Goat Manure For Gardens
What Are The Disadvantages Of Goat Manure?
As with any fertilizer, excessive or improperly managed use of goat manure can lead to nutrient imbalances in the soil or unwanted soil salt buildup. Fresh goat manure can also emit odors and attract flies, becoming a concern near homes or neighbors.
If you’re thinking of using goat manure in your garden, you’ve got to check out this awesome video on gardening with goat manure!
Final Thoughts On Using Goat Manure For Gardens
Goat manure is a natural, helpful way to boost the productivity and health of your homestead garden. Its nutrient-rich composition has a positive impact on soil structure, and its slow-release benefits make it a valuable resource, especially if you’re raising a few goats of your own.
We encourage you to continue learning and reading about goat manure for the garden, because by understanding the effects of goat manure on plants, its nutrient content, and proper usage techniques, you can harness the power of this fertilizer to cultivate food in your backyard!