Rabbit Poo Use

ARgardener · April 28, 2017

Alright, before I get too far-
I've read/ heard that rabbit manure can be used fresh, uncomposted without the risk of burning plants. Is this true?

If true, what's the best way to about using the manure? I have limited quantity (I just have a few bunnies), so I'd like to make the best use of it.

I've wondered if I could add a small handful to the planting holes of my tomatoes/ eggplant/ peppers(?). Would this be recommended?

I'm gardening in virgin soil so I'm just trying to devise my "planting hole recipe"
(things I've considered: alfalfa/ soy meal, bloodmeal, espsom salts, Espsoma/ Tomato Tone, kelp tablets, rough compost)

Any help and input appreciated, as always!

SteveP · April 28, 2017

Your tomatoes will love the rabbit poo and it can be used without decomposing. Put some in the hole, top dress with some and then let some soak a few days in water to water your plants with as the season progresses. I have heard of people actually growing in 100% Bunny Berries instead of soil, although I have never tried it.

ARgardener · April 28, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveP

Your tomatoes will love the rabbit poo and it can be used without decomposing. Put some in the hole, top dress with some and then let some soak a few days in water to water your plants with as the season progresses. I have heard of people actually growing in 100% Bunny Berries instead of soil, although I have never tried it.

Good ideas- I may need to get some more bunnies

Gardadore · April 29, 2017

I absolutely love rabbit poo as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Worms love it too. I put it in my compost bins mixed with straw, especially if it is very wet. I do add it directly around plants but not lettuce in case there might be a problem with unwanted bacteria. I use aged poo for crops close to the soil.

ARgardener · April 29, 2017

How much to add to my planting holes for tomatoes? Hmmm

Gardadore · April 29, 2017

I have never added it directly to my tomato holes but I would imagine a handful would be fine. You can sidedress throughout the season as needed. You could also mix it with compost and add.

pecker88 · April 30, 2017

I just got a 30 gal trashcan full of rabbit poo that was about 1/2 rabbit berries and 1/2 straw bedding.

When I setup my rain gutter system (used walmart fabric shopping bags), I put about a shovel full of the rabbit poo/bedding in each bag along with handfull of epsom salt and 1/2 cup lime. I then put 1/4 to 1/2 cup of tomato tone around the top rim of the bag.

The rest of the mix was re-used promix BX.

The tomatoes all look "OK", but the top/new leaves are curled inward on themselves. I left 1 bag w/out the rabbit poo, and that plant is curled also, so I don't think its the rabbit poo. Its been SUPER cold here, and I have the greenhouse heater set at 55, so I think the curling is environmental related.

I would say that rabbit poo does not burn plants.

dmforcier · April 30, 2017

What's your soil pH? If you don't know, why use the lime?

April 28, 2017	#1
ARgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: steamy southern Arkansas Posts: 155	Rabbit Poo Use Alright, before I get too far- I've read/ heard that rabbit manure can be used fresh, uncomposted without the risk of burning plants. Is this true? If true, what's the best way to about using the manure? I have limited quantity (I just have a few bunnies), so I'd like to make the best use of it. I've wondered if I could add a small handful to the planting holes of my tomatoes/ eggplant/ peppers(?). Would this be recommended? I'm gardening in virgin soil so I'm just trying to devise my "planting hole recipe" (things I've considered: alfalfa/ soy meal, bloodmeal, espsom salts, Espsoma/ Tomato Tone, kelp tablets, rough compost) Any help and input appreciated, as always!

April 30, 2017	#8
dmforcier Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,825	What's your soil pH? If you don't know, why use the lime? __________________ Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

April 28, 2017	#2
SteveP Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 1,398	Your tomatoes will love the rabbit poo and it can be used without decomposing. Put some in the hole, top dress with some and then let some soak a few days in water to water your plants with as the season progresses. I have heard of people actually growing in 100% Bunny Berries instead of soil, although I have never tried it.

April 29, 2017	#4
Gardadore Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Saylorsburg, PA Posts: 261	I absolutely love rabbit poo as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Worms love it too. I put it in my compost bins mixed with straw, especially if it is very wet. I do add it directly around plants but not lettuce in case there might be a problem with unwanted bacteria. I use aged poo for crops close to the soil.

April 30, 2017	#7
pecker88 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 192	I just got a 30 gal trashcan full of rabbit poo that was about 1/2 rabbit berries and 1/2 straw bedding. When I setup my rain gutter system (used walmart fabric shopping bags), I put about a shovel full of the rabbit poo/bedding in each bag along with handfull of epsom salt and 1/2 cup lime. I then put 1/4 to 1/2 cup of tomato tone around the top rim of the bag. The rest of the mix was re-used promix BX. The tomatoes all look "OK", but the top/new leaves are curled inward on themselves. I left 1 bag w/out the rabbit poo, and that plant is curled also, so I don't think its the rabbit poo. Its been SUPER cold here, and I have the greenhouse heater set at 55, so I think the curling is environmental related. I would say that rabbit poo does not burn plants.