Case Study: Horse Manure Compost
Horse manure is considered to be a inexpensive source of fertilizers for plants hence the reason why Bartram's Garden would like to use this soon to be abundant resource on their own gardens. In the short blurb below will be further information on horse manure.
What is in horse manure?
The fibers of grass and grain, minerals, shed cells, fats, water, and undigested grain and weed seeds can typically be found in the average horse's manure. Approximately 75% of the manure's weight is water.
How much manure is produced on a daily basis?
On average an 1,000 pound horse can produce up to 50 pound of manure daily.
How does one turn horse manure into compost?
The first step is to select a site for the compost. In the designated site proved to us by Bartram's Garden, the client holds a preference of keeping this compost pile out of site to make the area look more appealing. The second step is to construct a bin that is able to store at least 6 months of a single horse's manure. Therefore, the bins have to be at least 8'x8'x5'. There has to be multiple bins since there are two horses and for convenience as well. The third step of covering each bin with a tarp is crucial so that the nutrients in the pile don't wash out. The tarp also prevents the pile from getting to wet or dry. The fourth step is to make sure that the compost pile is getting aerated from the center out. This allows for the manure pile to compost evenly. A way to aerate the compost pile is by inserting PVC pipes into the pile and drilling a holes a few inches away from each pipe. Besides making sure the pile is aerated from the center, the compost pile should also be slightly damp (not soggy or dry). In order to know when the compost pile is done, the finished product should feel crumbly like dirt. This should take roughly six months.
Is there anything else to know about composting horse manure?
Although a horse can produce 50 pound of manure daily, the compost should only be left with about 25 pounds since as the manure turns into compost, almost 50% of its weight its loss due to the water evaporating. Bedding is also advised to be kept at a minimum so the pile is able to compost faster and it will be cheaper.
What is in horse manure?
The fibers of grass and grain, minerals, shed cells, fats, water, and undigested grain and weed seeds can typically be found in the average horse's manure. Approximately 75% of the manure's weight is water.
How much manure is produced on a daily basis?
On average an 1,000 pound horse can produce up to 50 pound of manure daily.
How does one turn horse manure into compost?
The first step is to select a site for the compost. In the designated site proved to us by Bartram's Garden, the client holds a preference of keeping this compost pile out of site to make the area look more appealing. The second step is to construct a bin that is able to store at least 6 months of a single horse's manure. Therefore, the bins have to be at least 8'x8'x5'. There has to be multiple bins since there are two horses and for convenience as well. The third step of covering each bin with a tarp is crucial so that the nutrients in the pile don't wash out. The tarp also prevents the pile from getting to wet or dry. The fourth step is to make sure that the compost pile is getting aerated from the center out. This allows for the manure pile to compost evenly. A way to aerate the compost pile is by inserting PVC pipes into the pile and drilling a holes a few inches away from each pipe. Besides making sure the pile is aerated from the center, the compost pile should also be slightly damp (not soggy or dry). In order to know when the compost pile is done, the finished product should feel crumbly like dirt. This should take roughly six months.
Is there anything else to know about composting horse manure?
Although a horse can produce 50 pound of manure daily, the compost should only be left with about 25 pounds since as the manure turns into compost, almost 50% of its weight its loss due to the water evaporating. Bedding is also advised to be kept at a minimum so the pile is able to compost faster and it will be cheaper.
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