Cow dung or cattle manure is used in many rural areas as fertilizer for agricultural produce. This is a fertilizer that is not so full of nitrogen, and the high ammonia levels in it can burn plants once the manure is fresh when it is applied. If the same manure is composted, it may be the kind of fertilizer which is helpful to plants.
Most cattle manure is composed of grain and digested grass. It really is full of nutrients and has an increased content of organic materials. Taking a look at its number of vital elements, it offers 3 percent of nitrogen, 2 percent of phosphorus, and just a percent of potassium. Besides this, its content has several potentially dangerous pathogens and also high amounts of ammonia. This is the major reason why the manure has to be aged prior to it being used as fertilizer.
When you compost cow manure it is possible to get rid of the ammonia from it and also aid to remove ammonia gas that can be harmful and weeds and seeds that are point about this manure, as well as any dangerous pathogens like E.coli. The top content of organic matter that cow manure has, is added to the soil and might help in greatly improving its ability to hold and retain moisture. This, subsequently, reduces the amount of water that plants fertilized with this composted cow manure will be needing. It also helps in boosting the aeration in the soil, and break up soil that has been compacted. Composted cow manure may have beneficial bacteria, that convert easily into nutrients which are easily accessed and release gradually, to ensure that plant roots which are tender will not get burnt.
To compost cow dung a location where you can create a pile which is a minimum of 3 to 4 feet high, should be chosen. A 3-inch layer of dry organic material must first be spread within the chosen area. This needs to be covered with a 2-inch layer of cow manure. This layering has to be continued up until the pile is approximately four feet in height. The pile should be watered and kept damp when you build it up and whenever the required height is reached it must be engrossed in a layer of soil.
The pile created has to be turned over once every 72 hours as well as its moistness maintained, without making the mass soggy. When you find yourself turning on the pile, check its temperature at its center. It will be between 120 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The compost heap will gradually turn brown and may offer an earthy smell. During this period, there will be no heat produced at its center, and also this means the compost is able to be applied.
When the compost pile will not warm up, it implies it has a smaller amount of manure and also this should be added. Excessive manure is likely to make your pile quit an unpleasant and robust odor. Add more of organic material.
It could always assist to create compost inside a compost bin as it helps to include the compost. Ensure your compost pile is no more heating up before you use it on the plants.
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