Does your tomato fertiliser provide the nutrients your plant needs to grow the very best, juicy tomatoes?
If you’re not sure, we’ll walk you through soil nutrition and fertiliser step by step. You won’t believe what a difference it will make to the health and yield of your tomato plant.
The nutrition of your soil is essential for the production of juicy, tasty tomatoes. In fact, preparing the soil properly is the first thing to do before planting tomatoes.
You can test the nutrients and pH level of your soil by preparing a soil sample and sending it to be tested at a local cooperative extension office. For more information on soil sample testing, have a read of our blog post Tomato Plant Nutrition: What Nutrients Do Tomato Plants Need?
There are a number of ways that you can improve your soil through fertilisation. These include adding one or more of the following:
Is Horse Manure Good for Tomatoes? The Complete Guide
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in home gardens. With their rich flavor and versatility, it’s no wonder why so many gardeners strive to cultivate a bountiful tomato harvest each year. However, successfully growing tomatoes requires providing the plants with the right soil environment and nutrients. This leads many gardeners to ask: is horse manure good for tomatoes?
The short answer is yes – horse manure can be an excellent addition to tomato gardens when used properly. In this complete guide we’ll dive into the details of using horse manure for tomatoes including its benefits, proper preparation and application, and any potential drawbacks.
Why Use Manure for Tomatoes?
Tomatoes thrive in nutrient-rich well-drained soil. They are heavy feeders meaning they require consistent nutrients throughout their growing season. This makes manure an appealing option, as it provides a slow, steady release of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Specifically, horse manure offers the following advantages:
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Adds valuable organic matter to improve soil structure and water retention. Tomatoes need consistent moisture.
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Provides a wide array of macro- and micronutrients to fuel plant growth.
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Has a relatively low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for balanced nutrient release.
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Is less likely to burn plants compared to manures like chicken manure due to its lower nitrogen concentrations.
When prepared properly, horse manure delivers nutrition in a form tomato plants can easily absorb through their roots and utilizes throughout their lifecycle.
The Power of Composting Manure
While raw horse manure can provide benefits, composting is highly recommended before applying it to tomato plants. Composting manure neutralizes potentially harmful pathogens, balances nutrient ratios, and breaks down weed seeds.
Here are some key steps for composting horse manure:
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Combine horse manure with carbon-rich materials like leaves, straw, or sawdust. This balances nutrients.
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Maintain a moisture level of 40-60% to support microbial decomposition. Turning the pile periodically aerates it.
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Allow 4-6 months for thorough composting. The resulting product will be dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling.
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Optional: Solarize compost to sanitize it and kill pathogens. Place compost in clear plastic for 4-6 weeks in summer.
Properly aged or composted horse manure makes an excellent fertilizer for tomatoes in terms of safety and nutrient levels. Always avoid using raw, fresh manure directly in the garden.
Application Guidelines
When adding horse manure to tomato plants, follow these guidelines for the best results:
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Incorporate composted manure into soil 2-4 weeks before planting tomatoes. Spread a 2-4 inch layer and mix thoroughly into the top 6 inches of soil.
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Test soil pH – tomatoes prefer slightly acidic soil between 6.0-6.8. Adjust pH if needed.
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During the season, side dress plants with a thin layer of compost, keeping it 6 inches away from stems.
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Use composted manure to prepare planting holes for transplanting seedlings. Mix with soil in holes.
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Apply manure judiciously in moderate amounts to avoid excessive salt and nutrient buildup.
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Combine manure with organic fertilizers to provide a complete nutritional profile for tomatoes.
With careful application timed to the plants’ growth stages, tomatoes can reap the nutritional benefits of horse manure without risk of fertilizer burn.
Ideal Pairings with Horse Manure
While horse manure delivers an array of key nutrients, it is lower in phosphorus. To balance this, consider pairing it with organic phosphorus amendments such as:
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Bone meal – provides long-lasting phosphorus and calcium.
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Rock phosphate – slowly releases phosphorus into the soil.
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Fish bone meal – supplies nitrogen along with phosphorus.
Incorporating complementary organic fertilizers creates a nutritionally complete diet for robust tomato growth. Test soil to identify any nutritional deficiencies and maintain the ideal soil environment.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
Despite its benefits for tomatoes, a few potential drawbacks of using horse manure warrant consideration:
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Can promote rapid, leafy growth if over-applied, limiting fruit production. Use judiciously.
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May contain weed seeds if not properly composted. Composting helps destroy seeds.
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Can have higher salt concentrations than other manures. Test soil and apply appropriate rates.
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Poses risk of burning plants if fresh or “hot” manure is applied. Age manure before using.
With careful preparation and application, these concerns can be mitigated to harness the nutritional power of horse manure. Moderation is key – horse manure should be part of an integrated soil nutrition plan.
The Bottom Line
When used properly, horse manure can be a boon to tomato gardens. Its slow-release nutrition supports vigorous plants and abundant fruit throughout the season. However, preparation is key – fresh manure should always be composted thoroughly before application to maximize benefits and avoid any risks of burning delicate tomato roots. Follow best practices in terms of application rates and timing.
Alongside other organic soil amendments, well-aged horse manure is a natural way to create ideal growing conditions for tomatoes. Pay close attention to your plants and soil, adjusting your manure regimen as needed. With a balanced approach, you can safely unlock the soil-enhancing power of horse manure for tomato success.
Tomato Fertiliser: Manure and Compost
While it is often said that manure is not really a fertiliser, gardeners have been using manure as fertiliser for centuries.
In Britain, the Victorians (who were great gardeners) turned to chemical fertilisers, believing that “science” was the cure-all for everything. Even though research at the beginning of the 20th century showed that chemicals were not a substitute for “dung manuring”, chemical fertilization continued to flourish. This was fuelled by the fact that horses were also replaced by petrol-driven vehicles that produced a different type of muck!
There is absolutely no doubt that the best way to make the soil for your tomato plants “fertile” is to add large amounts of organic matter in the form of compost and manure. Organic matter is vital, not only because it prevents nutrients from leaching out of the soil, but also because as the material decomposes, it releases its own valuable nutrients into the ground.
Various types of composts are available from nurseries and garden stores, including rich mushroom compost. Mushroom compost is a favourite, but it is really easy to make your own by recycling household vegetable and garden waste. Learn the ways of DIY composting in our blog post, How to Make Compost.
The Impact of Chemical Fertilisers
The indiscriminate use of chemical, inorganic fertilisers over the past century has caused considerable damage to soil worldwide. However it was only well into the 20th century that some people began to realise that the best way to revitalise poor soil was not to pump chemicals into it, but rather to practice crop rotation, use manure, undertake companion planting and generally follow what is now known as biodynamic gardening.
Is Horse Manure Good for the Garden?
FAQ
What is the best manure for tomatoes?
Both cow manure and horse manure are excellent choices for tomatoes as they both contain balanced nutrients.
What vegetables don’t like horse manure?
Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers do not like horse manure. Fresh manure’s high nitrogen can burn plant stems and roots, especially in tender plants such as lettuce and radishes. Root vegetables like potatoes and carrots are particularly sensitive.
Is too much manure bad for tomato plants?
Fresh manure is too strong to grow plants. It is also to high in Nitrogen and too low in Potassium. So use compost and a small amount of general fertiliser, once its growing, followed by tomato fertiliser, once you want to encourage flowers and fruit.
Is it safe to eat vegetables grown in horse manure?
If you look at horse or sheep manure it is partly digested and can contain seeds (weeds). If you don’t get it on the leaves or fruit that you are about to eat, there is no problem, always wash fruit/veg before eating anyway.
Is horse manure good for plants?
When properly composted, horse manure becomes an excellent source of nutrients for plants. Additionally, it provides secondary macronutrients such as calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). It also includes important micronutrients like iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). Composted horse manure nourishes plants.
What can I do with horse manure?
Mulching: Complement the benefits of composted horse manure by adding a layer of organic mulch on top of it. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and further enriches the soil over time. Companion Planting:
Is horse manure suitable for growing Tomatoes?
Horse manure is suitable for growing Tomatoes as it is a popular choice among farmers and gardeners for many hundreds of years. When combined with other organic material, manure helps to create a fertile soil and provides important nutrients for plants. If you raise horses or have access to a stable yard, horse manure is an excellent choice for your tomato garden.
Can you plant tomato seedlings in horse manure?
When preparing to plant tomato seedlings, ensure that the horse manure compost is well mixed into the soil. Never plant tomatoes directly into manure, as manure alone does not provide the necessary minerals for your plants and may result in fertilizer burn.
Can you use composted horse manure to fertilize tomato plants?
Composted horse manure offers several advantages when it comes to fertilizing tomato plants in an organic garden. First and foremost, it is a natural and sustainable option that aligns with the principles of organic gardening. By using composted horse manure, you avoid the harmful effects of synthetic fertilizers.
Is manure good for tomato plants?
As an avid gardener, I’ve learned that the key to robust tomato growth lies in the soil’s richness, bolstered by the right choice of manure. Manure serves not only as a potent fertilizer but also improves soil structure and water retention.