Turkey manure

**Dukerdawg** · March 26, 2009

Some of the best tomatoes I have ever tasted came from an old italian gentleman who used turkey manure in his garden. So I thought this year I'm gonna try it. I found a turkey farm willing to let me scoop some for free. I asked if she sold to home gardeners and she laughed. Come and get it she said. But don't take it all since some of her friends stop by periodocally for some as well.

So my question is for a 20 x 24 foot area how much would be enough and not too much to spread out and til in 2 months prior to planting time?

Duane

brokenbar · March 26, 2009

Duane, is it old? If it's fairly fresh their is a risk of buring plants and roots. Otherwise, I have used it mixed 1/3 manure to 2/3 dirt. When it composts in a pile,(I am talking about just a big pile of turkey manure) it is HOT and steams like crazy.

**Dukerdawg** · March 26, 2009

I'm not real sure how fresh it is. I guess I won't know until I get over there this weekend. The lady did say not to overdo it because it will burn roots and plants as you mentioned. If I spread out maybe 10 gallons of it and let it sit for a month and then tilled it in and waited another 3-4 weeks....be okay...even if it is fairly fresh? Or no?

brokenbar · March 26, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dukerdawg

I'm not real sure how fresh it is. I guess I won't know until I get over there this weekend. The lady did say not to overdo it because it will burn roots and plants as you mentioned. If I spread out maybe 10 gallons of it and let it sit for a month and then tilled it in and waited another 3-4 weeks....be okay...even if it is fairly fresh? Or no?

Dawg...Spred it out and water it good several times to flush out the urea.(Poultry manure cointains their "pee" in the form of urea as they do not pee seperatly.) Turn it or rake it and do the same thing. If you do all that for a month it should be fine and I would mix 1/3 manure < 2/3 dirt. It really is good manure but one has to be careful not to over-do it and to make sure it has leeched some and aged. I have a friend who grows champion roses that she shows and all she uses is turkey manure and goat manure.

SteveS · March 26, 2009

I have used turkey manure in the garden for many years. It was a great tradition. My wife, old farmgirl that she is, would claim that helping me was 1 of my Christmas gifts! The farm I got it from cleans out their barns usually the week before Christmas. So I would call up there to check it out. Most years they would just let me have whatever I wanted for free. A couple years they wanted $10. for it. They told me there was a local landscaping company that used a lot of it. Usually I composted half of it & the other half I mixed in my garden beds. I didn't put it in too heavy & it was well-mixed. I never recognized any deleterious effects on my plants.
Steve

rxkeith · March 27, 2009

duane,

check with the msu extension office, they may be able to help you with how much is too much, and safe time to use. don't over look turkey feathers. they can be used too. the guy we told you about from the hood, used them one year, probably from the same place. you have to mix them into the soil so they don't mat. i would think they would be a slow release type fertilizer. bet the dogs sniffers will be working overtime once you add the poop to the garden.

keith

stormymater · March 26, 2009

Our "blend" has 10% aged turkey manure - with topsoil & compost making up the rest.

matereater · March 26, 2009

Most turkeys should be gone by now (Thanksgiving & Christmas) so it should be at least 3 months old already.

matereater · March 26, 2009

Oh Duane, let me know how it works out, there's a turkey farm here in Livonia near me so I may give it a try as well.

**Dukerdawg** · March 26, 2009

Steve, that is the place I am talking about. 5 mile between Farmington and Newburgh. The lady was very nice. I think they raise turkeys year 'round but probably cut back during non-holiday times. Should be enough for everyone!

Duane

March 26, 2009	#1
Dukerdawg Growing for Market Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 861	Turkey manure Some of the best tomatoes I have ever tasted came from an old italian gentleman who used turkey manure in his garden. So I thought this year I'm gonna try it. I found a turkey farm willing to let me scoop some for free. I asked if she sold to home gardeners and she laughed. Come and get it she said. But don't take it all since some of her friends stop by periodocally for some as well. So my question is for a 20 x 24 foot area how much would be enough and not too much to spread out and til in 2 months prior to planting time? Duane __________________ May I aspire to live my life so that I may be the man my dog thinks I am.

March 26, 2009	#2
brokenbar Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Of The Border Posts: 1,169	Duane, is it old? If it's fairly fresh their is a risk of buring plants and roots. Otherwise, I have used it mixed 1/3 manure to 2/3 dirt. When it composts in a pile,(I am talking about just a big pile of turkey manure) it is HOT and steams like crazy. __________________ "If I'm not getting dirty, I'm not having a good time."

March 26, 2009	#3
Dukerdawg Growing for Market Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 861	I'm not real sure how fresh it is. I guess I won't know until I get over there this weekend. The lady did say not to overdo it because it will burn roots and plants as you mentioned. If I spread out maybe 10 gallons of it and let it sit for a month and then tilled it in and waited another 3-4 weeks....be okay...even if it is fairly fresh? Or no? __________________ May I aspire to live my life so that I may be the man my dog thinks I am.

March 26, 2009	#8
matereater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S.E. Michigan (Livonia) Posts: 1,264	Most turkeys should be gone by now (Thanksgiving & Christmas) so it should be at least 3 months old already. __________________ Steve Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

March 26, 2009	#9
matereater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S.E. Michigan (Livonia) Posts: 1,264	Oh Duane, let me know how it works out, there's a turkey farm here in Livonia near me so I may give it a try as well. __________________ Steve Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

March 26, 2009	#5
SteveS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 123	I have used turkey manure in the garden for many years. It was a great tradition. My wife, old farmgirl that she is, would claim that helping me was 1 of my Christmas gifts! The farm I got it from cleans out their barns usually the week before Christmas. So I would call up there to check it out. Most years they would just let me have whatever I wanted for free. A couple years they wanted $10. for it. They told me there was a local landscaping company that used a lot of it. Usually I composted half of it & the other half I mixed in my garden beds. I didn't put it in too heavy & it was well-mixed. I never recognized any deleterious effects on my plants. Steve

March 27, 2009	#6
rxkeith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Back in da U.P. Posts: 1,848	duane, check with the msu extension office, they may be able to help you with how much is too much, and safe time to use. don't over look turkey feathers. they can be used too. the guy we told you about from the hood, used them one year, probably from the same place. you have to mix them into the soil so they don't mat. i would think they would be a slow release type fertilizer. bet the dogs sniffers will be working overtime once you add the poop to the garden. keith

March 26, 2009	#7
stormymater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleasure Island, NC 8a Posts: 1,162	Our "blend" has 10% aged turkey manure - with topsoil & compost making up the rest.