She was only a cattlemanÕs daughter, but all the horsemen knew her (horse manure)

Couldn’t resist this apropos one-liner, so when you stop laughing, we’ll take this subject of horse manure and composts more seriously. Manure is manure, it isn’t compost And it, by itself, doesn’t turn into usable compost material-- no matter how high its piled. If you stockpile manure in a pile, after a while, if you dig into the middle, you may find something that resembles dirt more than it does manure. That "dirt" is compost.

Sure, manure left uncovered in large, spread out piles will eventually become compost. However, this version of composting often creates unpleasant odors because there is not enough air reaching the inside of the pile. A compost pile also rarely reaches high enough temperatures to kill parasites, fly larvae, weed seeds, and pathogens. And you certainly don’t want to fertilize your plants or vegetables with compost containing that!

Your compost pile, and you, will come out smelling like a rose

Actually the process used by composters is very simple. You may remember how to compost from high school science. Composters convert manure, food waste and other organic material into compost, or nutrients. A good compost pile does not smell. It is the result of an even decomposition of organic material, the manure. And this occurs with the proper amounts of heat and moisture added. When this balance continues over a period of time—you have compost!

Imagine being able to produce unlimited amounts of this nutritious compost—free! Nothing, including artificial, chemical-based fertilizers, is better for your lawn and garden or enhances growth as well as this natural by-product of life. With the benefits of each application lasting for an entire season. After knowing this, man’s best friend might very well-- become the horse!

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