Manure is an excellent fertilizer and soil conditioner, however, manure may contain new strains of E. coli and other bacteria that cause human illness. The use of manures added directly to a fruit or vegetable garden is not recommended, although use on ornamental plantings is okay. Even aged manure may have the disease-causing bacteria, E. coli, present. Research shows that 2 to 10 percent of bacterial pathogens survive the composting process. If manure is composted for food gardens, a two- to four-month curing process following composting is necessary to reduce pathogens. Favorable moisture and temperature conditions during curing allow microorganisms to develop and out-compete the pathogens. Composting manure properly will kill most E. coli, but in order for a manure pile to be composted properly, the following requirements must be met:
--Mix the compost regularly. This is important not only for aeration but also to ensure that the entire pile has reached the required temperature.
--Monitor the temperature. Long-handled thermometers are available for this purpose. The temperature must reach 130 to 140 degrees F for at least two five-day heating cycles. Mix the compost between cycles.
--After composting, allow the compost to cure for two to four months before applying it to garden soil. This allows the beneficial bacteria to kill disease bacteria.
--Home composting of manure is riskier than commercial composting due to lower temperatures, greater temperature variability in the compost pile, smaller compost volumes, and inadequate temperature monitoring. However, home composting plant materials alone--without manure--avoids potential pathogen problems.
--Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables and peel according to safe food handling practices to minimize the possibility of bacteria-contaminated soil being carried into food prepared for human consumption.
For more information on composting, see fact sheet "Composting Yard Wastes”. And for information on use of manure in the garden, see fact sheet "Preventing E. coli From Garden to Plate". ***
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