Steer manure, ecoli health concerns

Posted by Linda Enger on June 7, 2011 at 11:13am

In March or April ( forgot date now) I added steer manure ( bags from Home Depot) to some of my pre-existing veggie beds as well as extensively on my grass area ( prior to over seeding) . The veggies really did seem to like it more than all the variety of compost and fish emulsions I have been using

 

The down side:

Not only do I still smell the manure when the grass is being watered, and big chunks are still present, more importantly is I have had  to much anxiety re  ecoli with the veggies, especially when I hear news from Europe.

I know manure has been used for ages, no one has been sick from my veggies , and I do wash everything very well. BUT , I am wondering is there a "right way " to use manure in beds and compost. I have not found what I was looking for with books or google... except one book said do not eat the veggies for 6 months after using manure,right LOL with that! Thanks for your help ( as always).

 

 

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Tags: amending, ecoli, fertilizing, lawn, manure, soil, steer, veggies
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Replies

  • Catherine, The Herb Lady June 7, 2011 at 1:34pm

    Hi Linda,

     

    I know you should never use fresh manure on gardens for a variety of reasons, including that it is too "hot" could burn the plants, and also the issue of bacteria.

     

    I found a good site for you to look at - the issue is properly composed manure is safe.  See the section under "manure management" for some helpful info.

     

    http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09369.html

     

    Since you purchased it from Home Depot - you can ask what their process was for preparing it for sale.  Some processors actually 'bake' soil to remove pathogens they may use a similar process for the steer manure.

     

    Hope that helps.

    • Linda Enger > Catherine, The Herb Lady June 7, 2011 at 1:57pm

      Catherine,

      thanks for the link and the recommendation to contact the producer.  I can not imagine HD knowing for sure how their supplier handles the manure.The article is great help, I am changing my approach to using manure due to this article ( "sterilized " manure is not mentioned in article)

       

      this quote from link pretty much wraps up the essentials , at least for Colo.

      "When using aged (not composted) manure, the following practices will reduce the potential for contamination:

      • Never apply manure to growing food Crops.
      • Apply manure in the fall after harvest, and mix it in. Fall application allows the longest period from application to harvest.
      • Do not leave manure on the soil surface where it can have direct contact with the crop. Always mix it into the soil.
      • Wait 120 days from manure application to crop harvest. This can be safely reduced to 90 days if the edible portion is protected by a husk, pod or shell. E. coli bacteria can survive freezing temperatures, so this time requirement does not include periods when the soil is frozen.

      The above procedures also will help prevent E. coli contamination when using composted manures."

       

      Great input... I love this permaculture group!

    • Catherine, The Herb Lady > Linda Enger June 7, 2011 at 2:12pm

      You are welcome, Linda. The Permaculture group is a lot of great people.

       

      If something is sterilized, it would be presumed it was really subjected to a lot of heat and more than compost temperatures (140-150).

       

      Home Depot has responded in the past to concerns, for example, about coco mulch and the possibility of the toxic-to-dogs and cats chocolate chemical in the mulch (reported attractant to dogs eating the mulch), so I would think they may have that info on the manure.  You will have noted the compost temperature is high enough to kill the e-coli, and it is not baking temperature high.  Surface temperatures in the valley here in the summer can reach about 180 in the middle of the afternoon.

       

      You need to feel comfortable with your procedures :-)

    • Linda Enger > Catherine, The Herb Lady June 7, 2011 at 2:58pm
      Catherine, I will check with HD but considering I did not compost the  manure before using it, the results of the  questions re sterilization will be the answer as to if I would ever do this again ( as you say be comfortable with my procedures) . I never want to get sick or have anyone else sick from eating my home grown yummies. ;) Thanks, Linda
    • Linda Enger > Linda Enger September 25, 2011 at 8:51pm
      at home depot today the western organics brand of Sterilized Steer manure is now packaged to say Deodorized and composted! I have to speak with WO directly to know if they are treating product any differently than when it was called sterilized.
    • Catherine, The Herb Lady > Linda Enger September 25, 2011 at 9:10pm
      Good observation, Linda.  Let us all know what you find out when you speak with them.  Thanks for posting an update. :-)
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