More re. sawdust/manure on veg. plots

Kevin Smyth (ab210@seorf.ohiou.edu)
Wed, 28 Oct 1998 09:26:01 -0500 (EST)

Thanks much to those of you who replied to my question re. the use of
sawdusty horse manure on our organic vegetable plots. Clearly the major
concern is that of tying up nitrogen in the soil during decomposition,
making it unavailable to the crops. Further questions: What are good
sources of nitrogen I could add to the soil to offset this? If I were to
compost this sawdust/manure this fall and winter instead of putting it on
the fields now, how would I do that? Wouldn't I need to add nitrogen to
the pile in order to heat it up? Would simply covering the pile with heavy
black plastic cause it to heat up sufficiently to compost it? One of you
mentioned the potential danger of introducing "juglones" into the soil -
what is that? Lastly, if I decide to just use the stuff as mulch next
growing season, can I put it on deep (say 4") and then till it under next
Fall and expect it to be broken down by the following season?
Again, thank you all very much for this valuable info!
Kevin Smyth

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