The first meaning of manure mentioned by the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) in its dictionary refers to the excrement of an animal . The term, coming from the Latin word stercus , is usually used in reference to excrement and other organic matter that is decomposing and is used to fertilize the soil.
Excrement is the food waste that a living being expels through the anus once digestion has been completed. These wastes can be converted into manure and used to fertilize land .
Manure is generally made up of animal excrement and other waste, which is deposited in a place known as a manure heap . There the excrement piles up along with plant remains and other substances that can be used.
Cattle manure is the most used. It can be used in all types of soils and helps to fertilize any crop, although its characteristics depend on the food provided to the cows . Pig manure , horse manure , sheep manure , poultry manure and even bat manure are also used.
Although manure has recently lost favor to synthetic fertilizers , there are still producers who are committed to organic crops and continue to use it.
Compost , finally, is a product that is obtained through the fermentation of organic waste, among which is manure. Composting is carried out by microscopic agents (bacteria, protozoa and fungi) and macroscopic agents (ants, worms, etc.). The container where the compost is produced is called a composter .
Manure and plants
Plants need several nutrients to have adequate development , and this applies to both those grown in pots and those grown in the garden. Of course, it is not so easy to provide them with the correct products, because we must take into account factors such as the type of plant and the type of harvest (such as root, fruit or leaf).
The amount and type of nutrients that each plant needs is different, although there are three that are essential for almost all of them: phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, which we can provide through liquid fertilizers prepared at home to use when watering. or applying them in the garden itself. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is through manure.
On the one hand we have fresh manure , which is generally used to eliminate parasites from the soil (this includes fungi, spores and insects). This is a process known as solarization , and is carried out by spreading the manure on the ground, then covering it with a plastic sheet and leaving it during the hottest months so that the high temperatures and fermentation kill the unwanted organisms.
There is also cured manure , which is usually left in the sun for one or two months to eliminate the bad smell and prevent it from fermenting, so that it does not burn the plants when applied to the soil .
Among the most powerful manure fertilizers, chicken manure stands out, since it provides high percentages of the aforementioned nutrients, as well as calcium, magnesium, organic matter and dry matter. Despite this, it is important to note that if we add it fresh we run the risk of it burning the plants, which is why it is recommended to cure it for a few months.
Sheep manure is the most used, since it has a very balanced composition of nutrients. However, many recommend trying different types and deciding based on your own experience, price and availability.