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Archae

(47,245 posts) Tue May 26, 2015, 08:22 AM May 2015

My Mom went organic last week... [View all]

Again.

In her garden, she used a natural fertilizer, the way she always has.
Cow manure.

I helped her plant the garden, and mix the manure and plant her tomatoes and peppers.

Later this week she'll plant beans and squash.

Most years (if she can keep the deer out,) she has bumper crops, mostly tomatoes.

24 replies

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My Mom went organic last week... [View all] Archae May 2015 OP

With any luck, there won't be any E coli in the manure. Buzz Clik May 2015 #1

Forgot to mention the cukes! Archae May 2015 #2

Good plan. E coli contamination is not uncommon in organic gardening. Buzz Clik May 2015 #5

E. coli contamination in organic gardening IS uncommon. Luminous Animal May 2015 #23

I think you need to read this: Buzz Clik May 2015 #24

Really? we can do it May 2015 #4

Whoa! Buzz Clik May 2015 #6

Crossing fingers works better than washing Major Nikon May 2015 #7

I feel a bit better about never washing my produce. Buzz Clik May 2015 #8

Or a strong immune system and gut flora. nt tridim May 2015 #12

If it's fresh, that's a concern. If it's been composted for around a year first jeff47 May 2015 #9

Not that I'm arguing against organic farming (and I am not), but... Buzz Clik May 2015 #10

Yep. Personally I favor inorganic fertilizers because we know exactly what's in it. jeff47 May 2015 #11

That's exactly why nitrate poisoning of groundwater is such a problem. hunter May 2015 #14

Yep, gotta put it where it will actually do what you want jeff47 May 2015 #16

You are correct about washing hands but cow manure was the prime fertilizer long before WWII. jwirr May 2015 #19

Lots of factors contributed to shortened lifespans.... Buzz Clik May 2015 #20

Did she use fresh or composted manure? riderinthestorm May 2015 #3

Two 40 pound bags from the local hardware store. Archae May 2015 #13

Then I'm going to guess it was either partially or completely composted riderinthestorm May 2015 #17

Since the manure was black when we mixed it into her garden, I think you're right. Archae May 2015 #18

the deer are fierce for us as well. Its always a race to pick the corn in the fall especially riderinthestorm May 2015 #21

Cow manure tends to be too salty in places without a lot of rain... hunter May 2015 #15

An organic way to keep deer and other critters at bay... N_E_1 for Tennis May 2015 #22