Concern About Overusing Composted Chicken Manure in the Garden

[Eggspeditionist]

Hi Everybody,

Its been two years since we started adding compost to our garden. The first year, we applied it pretty heavily in some areas, while other spots barely got any. This year, we decided to try something different and bought OMRI-certified, composted chicken manure to use in the garden. The compost looked great and felt nice, but it did have a strong ammonia smell, so it seemed a little hot.

We had some extra manure, so I decided to top-dress around our fruit trees as well. However, now Im noticing that the grass around the trees is yellowing. While Ill be able to monitor the situation and figure it out over time, Im wondering if I might have over-applied the manure. According to various online sources, you should apply 1-3 inches of composted manure and then till it in. I followed this advice and tilled it to about 6 inches deep.

Given these details, do you think I made a mistake by applying that much manure? Im aware its hard to tell for sure without a soil test, but Id appreciate any advice or thoughts you may have.

Thanks!

[ChirpyScribe]

I think you may have applied a bit too much, especially with the strong ammonia smell. That suggests it was too fresh and might have caused a burn to your plants.

I would definitely try to water it well and wait to see how things develop. A soil test would definitely help clarify.

[CoryComb]

I applied chicken manure heavily to my garden once, and it caused some yellowing in certain areas. What worked for me was mixing in other organic matter like straw to help balance it out. I'd recommend checking your soil's nitrogen levels through a test and adjusting accordingly.

[NestNurturer]

Yellowing grass could be a sign of too much nitrogen. Chicken manure is rich in nitrogen, which is great for some plants but can cause problems if over-applied. A soil test would definitely give you more accurate information, but I'd suggest backing off the manure a bit in the future.

[CoopCaretaker]

It's possible you've over-applied, especially if you notice yellowing grass. Chicken manure is high in nitrogen, and too much can burn plants or cause nutrient imbalances. I'd recommend getting a soil test to confirm, but in the meantime, water the area well to help dilute the excess nutrients.

[RootedSoul]

I agree with others,chicken manure is great for the garden, but it can be potent. Yellowing is often a sign of over-application. I've learned to use smaller amounts and incorporate more organic matter to prevent any negative effects. A soil test will tell you for sure.

[HappyHens]

It's definitely a good idea to test your soil to get an accurate picture of what's going on. If you notice yellowing, it's likely from too much nitrogen, so consider scaling back in the future. You can also try adding more organic material like mulch to help balance it out.

[HatchlingHero]

It sounds like you've done a lot of good work adding compost, but chicken manure can sometimes cause issues with young plants or trees if used too heavily. I've found that spreading thinner layers and giving it more time to break down helps prevent yellowing or burning.

[ChickWrangler]

It sounds like you've applied a lot of manure, and the yellowing grass might be a sign of too much nitrogen. I'd suggest adding more organic material like composted leaves or straw to balance it out. A soil test would be helpful to get a clear picture of your soil's needs.

[FeatherAlchemy]

Over-application of chicken manure can lead to nutrient imbalances, especially nitrogen. The yellowing grass makes me think you've given your plants a little too much. In the future, try applying less and letting it decompose more before adding it to your garden or fruit trees.