Plants and Vegetables That Benefit from Rotted Manure

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Rotted manure is a gardener's gold, providing essential nutrients and improving soil structure for many plants and vegetables. When properly composted, manure becomes a valuable organic fertiliser that can transform your garden's productivity. This article explores which plants particularly thrive with this natural amendment.

What Makes Rotted Manure Valuable?

Rotted (or well-composted) manure offers multiple benefits:

• Rich source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
• Improves soil structure and water retention
• Enhances microbial activity in the soil
• Provides slow-release nutrients throughout the growing season
• Increases organic matter content

Vegetables That Love Rotted Manure

Heavy Feeders

These vegetables particularly benefit from the nutrient-rich environment that rotted manure provides:

Brassicas: Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts all respond exceptionally well to manure-enriched soil. Their leafy growth requires substantial nitrogen.

Leafy Greens: Spinach, Swiss chard and lettuce develop lush foliage when grown in soil amended with rotted manure.

Fruiting Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, squash, cucumbers and courgettes are heavy feeders that benefit tremendously. Apply manure to their planting areas several weeks before planting.

Root Vegetables: Potatoes particularly thrive with manure that's thoroughly rotted. Fresh manure can cause scab disease, so ensure it's fully composted.

Moderate Feeders

Sweet corn: Benefits from the nitrogen boost that manure provides.

Beans and Peas: While legumes fix their own nitrogen, they still benefit from the improved soil structure and other nutrients in rotted manure.

Beetroot and Carrots: Benefit from manure applied to the previous season's crop rather than directly, as too much nitrogen can cause forking.

Plants That Thrive with Rotted Manure

Roses: Classic lovers of manure, roses benefit from annual applications worked into the soil around their base.

Fruit Trees and Bushes: Apples, pears, plums, currants and gooseberries all respond well to manure mulches.

Ornamental Plants:

• Dahlias and sunflowers are heavy feeders that benefit greatly
• Moisture-loving perennials like hostas and delphiniums
• Shrubs such as hydrangeas and rhododendrons (for the latter, use only manure from non-meat-eating animals)

Lawns: An autumn top-dressing of sieved, well-rotted manure can revitalise tired lawns.

Plants to Avoid

Some plants perform better without rich manure:

• Root vegetables including carrots and parsnips may fork with too much fresh manure
• Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, thyme and lavender prefer poorer soil
• Native wildflowers often thrive in less fertile conditions

How to Apply Rotted Manure

For best results:

1. Ensure manure is thoroughly composted (6-12 months old)
2. Apply in autumn/winter, allowing time for integration before spring planting
3. Dig into soil at a rate of approximately 1-2 buckets per square metre for hungry crops
4. Use as a mulch (5-7.5cm thick) around established plants, keeping it away from stems
5. Make manure tea for a liquid feed by steeping rotted manure in water

Types of Manure and Their Benefits

Horse Manure: Hot and nutrient-rich, excellent for heavy feeders once properly rotted.

Cow Manure: More balanced and less likely to burn plants, breaks down slowly.

Chicken Manure: Highest in nitrogen, needs thorough composting to prevent burning plants.

Sheep/Goat Manure: Typically drier and comes in pellet form, making it easier to distribute.

Conclusion

Rotted manure is an invaluable resource for gardeners, providing sustainable fertility and soil improvement. By matching the right plants with this natural fertiliser and applying it correctly, you can significantly enhance your garden's productivity while building long-term soil health. Whether you're growing prize vegetables or beautiful flowers, thoughtful use of rotted manure can transform your gardening results.

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