Dean W.

I just got half a yard of turkey compost (poop). I'm wondering if it would be better to top-dress my vegetable garden or work it into the soil? I was thinking it might be better to work it into the soil. Any ideals?

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RobG7aChattTN

If it is too fresh it can burn your plants...but if you are talking about the possibility of tilling it I'm assuming that you haven't planted your garden yet. If it was used as top dressing a lot of that Nitrogen would actually dissipate. The quicker you till it in the less Nitrogen you will lose...but again, you don't want it to be too strong. If it has aged a bit then I'd say till it in. Not only will this help to hold the Nitrogen in the soil but mixing it in might also reduce the concentration of Nitrogen in any given place. The wood litter mixed with the droppings also hold that Nitrogen and keep it from dissipating too quickly. If it is extremely fresh you might want to let it compost for a few weeks, turning it over with a pitch fork to air it out and help it break down faster. You might be able to find a chart on-line on how long to age manure before you use it.

Dean W.

Hey Rob,

It's actually been aged already. Really good looking stuff. Got you on the Nitrogen dissipation. Didn't really think of that. Need to get it out of the bags ASAP. We bagged our own stuff to save some $.

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kshort

very helpful post, I have chickens and will apply your suggestions.
thanks again

sultry_jasmine_nights

We use composted chicken, turkey, duck, guinea, and geese manure on our bananas and other tropicals. They all seem to grow very fast and flower well. It is also used it in our edible gardens.
We also have 2 vermicompost bins set up under our rabbit hutches for worm composting. Good stuff!

Worm_Farmer

I have so much area to cover that I just top dress the soil and dont bother working anything into the soil. I try to just put a a thick 6" layer or more down.