Cow dung - cattle excrement, is used as a building material, as a biofuel, for the production of paper and even biogas. But mostly, of course, this is a wonderful organic fertilizer. It is suitable for all types of plants: for fruit trees, and for vegetables (increase the yield of root crops), and for berries.
Did you know? The word "manure" is found in documents from the XVI century. This is a derivative of the verb "dung" and literally means "that which is brought."
The composition and beneficial properties of cow dung
Cow manure is used to fertilize all types of soil. But it is necessary to introduce such organic matter reasonably, not over-saturating the soil and considering its composition:
- nitrogen - 0.5%,
- water - 77.3%,
- potassium - 0.59%,
- calcium - 0.4%,
- organic matter - 20.3%,
- phosphorus - 0.23%.
Important! In fresh liquid bovine excrement, among other things, it also contains a large number of worms eggs. Therefore, use personal protective equipment. After composting or fermentation, this problem will be eliminated.
The thermal properties of a mullein are inferior, for example, to horse manure, it is heavier and slowly acts on the growth of plants, but its effect is more uniform and long lasting. Korovyak can significantly increase the yield of the soil, stimulate the growth of the root system of the plant. This fertilizer perfectly restores and enriches light sandy and sandy sandy soils, and less refined - suitable clay, heavy and strong podzol. Due to its low nutritional value, it protects the fruit from saturation with nitrates.
The litter that makes up the manure greatly affects the properties of the resulting compost.
Did you know? According to the Vedic literature, the beneficial properties of cow dung are its cleansing (subtle body) action. Therefore, the Vedic temples are washed daily with cow dung, not detergents.
Cow Manure Species
Cattle manure can be divided into four types below.
Fresh manure
In order not to harm the plants, this, of course, effective fertilizer should be used, adhering to some rules. To bring it in the fall, after harvesting (in no case before the planting itself) at a rate of 40 kg / 10 sq. m. Do not use directly on young plants, stems, foliage, roots. It can simply burn them. The exception is cucumbers. This crop enjoys warmth and a fair amount of nitrogen from fresh cow dung.
Litter mullein
Litter mullein is manure mixed with hay, straw or other animal litter. If, for example, peat was used, then this fertilizer will contain a high concentration of ammonium nitrogen, which is absorbed by plants better than usual. And when using straw or hay, there will be more potassium and phosphorus necessary for the full growth of plants and their resistance to temperature extremes. This type of cow manure is used as a complex autumn fertilizer and for compost preparation.
Flossy Mullein
Strong and fast-acting fertilizer of this type has the appearance of a solution with an average density, without admixture of hay, straw, peat or other litter. It contains a high concentration of ammonia nitrogen and is used to make liquid mullein.
Manure slurry
To prepare the slurry, fill the barrel 1/3 of the volume with a mullein and top up with water, mix and leave to ferment for 1-2 weeks, and the infusion obtained should be diluted 2-3 times before adding to the soil as a fertilizer. Such liquid fertilizer is used for periodic watering of fruit trees, garden crops, as root top dressing (adding 50 g of superphosphate per 10 l).
Application of mullein: which plants are most responsive to fertilizing cow dung
In the form of a rotted cow, you can feed almost any plant. Ideal for cold-resistant crops. After making the yield of potatoes, berries and cereals increased by 30-50%. It is preferable to make it in the spring (4-5 kg / 10 sq. M). It can be used as a mulch cover for tree trunks of fruit trees, ornamental plants, garden roses, strawberry spacing.
Most vegetables respond well to dressing with cow dung. These include eggplant, zucchini, peppers, lettuce, beets, celery, cucumber, tomato, pumpkin. Most root vegetables (onions, carrots, radishes, turnips, garlic) do not require high doses of nitrogen. They either will not respond to such a fertilizer, or they will get green tops and a hard, knotted rhizome. The exception is beets.
How to store cow dung
Given the stage of decay, manure can be divided into fresh mullein, half rotted (after 3-4 months of proper storage), completely rotted or humus (after 6-12 months).
Fresh manure can be soaked in containers, let it brew for a couple of days and use as a liquid top dressing.
For rotted manure, you can use the anaerobic method. Place the manure on a place that is cleared of grass, cover it with earth, peat, roofing felt or film.
It is not worth keeping cow dung in a heap, because after 4-5 months nitrogen will evaporate from it, and since there are other methods, it is not recommended to use it. Better use a combination of both methods. Lay the fresh manure in layers at first loosely, and when the temperature reaches 60 ° C, firmly seal it and cover it with a ball of peat, grass or other organic material. When drying - pour manure slurry.
Important! If you want to reduce nitrogen losses, increase the litter dose, and during laying add 1-3% superphosphate or phosphorus flour.
Benefits of using cow dung in the garden
The main advantage of cow manure is its availability, low cost and versatility. This is a highly effective fertilizer that forms the fertile layer and does not deplete it, as is the case with mineral fertilizers. In addition, it contains trace elements necessary for plant development and other useful substances. And potassium and magnesium reduce the acidity of the soil.
After fertilizing plants with mullein, microbiological activity of the soil increases significantly, there is an active mobilization of the nutrient reserves that it contains. The carbon dioxide emitted during the decay of manure is extremely important for the photosynthesis of plants. It also provides warmth of the root zone, which is important for the development of flora. Considering that only 25% of nitrogen is consumed in the first year, and 75% in the next, we conclude that the soil fertilized with manure will serve for several years, which is an undoubted advantage.
Cow manure is used by many gardeners and gardeners, because it is a natural source of organic substances and minerals necessary for high-quality fertilizer of the soil. And if you follow simple rules, this fertilizer will only benefit your plants.
