Green manure directly in the roots of tomatoes...

[mldollins]

I know this is a classic no-no...but.....

Tomatoes are a very hardy plant that thrives on nitrogen. Well, last year I decided to put green manure in the same hole when I dropped the tomato plant in. The roots were not on top of the manure very near it. It did not burn them up and it was one of the best tomato years I have ever had. I do understand fresh manure burning root systems, but this way it is not directly on the roots and every time it rains, there will be a leaching effect into the roots.

[littlebitfarm]

I don't put my green manure in the hole with the plants. I top dress with it. My entire garden is mulched 6" to 10" deep with a mixture of fresh manure and waste hay. As long as it doesn't TOUCH the plant, I've never had a problem with it. Touch a tomato plant and that leaf will die. Fertilizer and weed control, all in one!

I keep the manure/hay about 4" away from the whole plant. I stick little tiny plants out. Cover them with a gallon milk jug (bottom cut out). Then I can toss the manure around without worrying about hitting the plants.

Kathie

[geo in mi]

mldollins,

Can you more clearly define what you mean by "green manure"? To me, green manure is a grass or legume that you grow, then turn under before planting time. Or do you actually mean raw, fresh(not composted) animal manure?
I put fresh(well, sort of fresh) fish entrails underneath the tomato plants--but pretty deep, and under a layer of soil beneath the newly planted roots, so there won't be any danger of burning--so that by the time the roots grow downward, the fish waste will be fairly well decomposed and no longer "hot" or green as you may put it. The nitrogen boost that gives the tomatoes has to be balanced with phosphorus and potassium, though.

Turning under grasses will probably rob a bit of nitrogen as they decompose, then the nitrogen will rebalance itself in a short time.
geo

[mldollins]

The freshly laid stuff......

[Paquebot]

Any green manure used should have been one which was growing on site and tilled under. If added as grass clippings, there is danger of creating an anaerobic condition which the plants do not appreciate. Besides, tomatoes don't need the extra nitrogen. Best fertilizer for them is a 1-2-2 ratio.

Martin

[Bearfootfarm]

Some types of manure are fine to use fresh, such as from rabbits or sheep.

Chicken manure is too high in nitrogen to use "fresh"

[Paquebot]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Some types of manure are fine to use fresh, such as from rabbits or sheep.

Chicken manure is too high in nitrogen to use "fresh"

Green manures are cover crops grown to produce primarily nitrogen and then tilled in just prior to planting. They have nothing to do with animals or poultry.

But if the OP is referring to fresh manure, still not good. Might work once but definitely not recommended.

Martin

[ronbre]

what KIND of manure..some are safer than others..

[big rockpile]

What about Horse?

big rock pile

[Paquebot]

Originally Posted by big rockpile

What about Horse?

big rock pile

Horse manure also is not a green manure. Green manure is living plants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_manure

Martin

[MaineFarmMom]

Originally Posted by Paquebot

Green manures are cover crops grown to produce primarily to produce nitrogen and then tilled in just prior to planting. They have nothing to do with animals or poultry.

I thought it was worth repeating.

Green manure is plant matter, not poop.

[where I want to]

fresh poop- I do use fresh goat poops for some things like onions (read once that sheep poop had sulfur- thought goat poop might be the same,) laying in between lines of garlic and onions. I have no idea whether it helps but can say it doesn't hurt.
On the other hand, I always compost horse poops as it simply does not incorporate into the soil unless there is lots of rain. However composted horse poop is simply a wonderful thing in all other respects. Possible so useful for me as I have very acidic soil.

[big rockpile]

Originally Posted by MaineFarmMom

I thought it was worth repeating.

Green manure is plant matter, not poop.

I understand what your talking about but what we are talking about in this instance is Fresh Poop which I've always heard called Green manure Which is what mildollins is asking about.

big rockpile

[Windy in Kansas]

Originally Posted by big rockpile

I understand what your talking about but what we are talking about in this instance is Fresh Poop which I've always heard called Green manure

In your neck of the woods if fresh animal manure is also called green manure then the term fresh animal manure should probably be used when speaking about gardening rather than green manure which most all gardeners considers vegetative matter as already stated. That would put everyone on the same thought process as to what is being asked.

[big rockpile]

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

In your neck of the woods if fresh animal manure is also called green manure then the term fresh animal manure should probably be used when speaking about gardening rather than green manure which most all gardeners considers vegetative matter as already stated. That would put everyone on the same thought process as to what is being asked.

So in other words even after I explained that mildollins was talking about Fresh Manure they are still not going to get an answer to their question

big rockpile

[big rockpile]

Ok seems half knew what mldollins was talking about.Just as when I got a load of Horse manure the other day the Guy told me it was Green I knew exactly what he was saying.Yes we use Wheat,Vetch,Clover and such for Green manure.

It was obvious what mldollins was talking about wasn't no sence making a Federal Case out of it,just answer and go on.

big rockpile

[Tiempo]

I made an experimental raised bed last year where I filled the box about 2/3 full of horse poop of varying ages, including quite fresh, then filled the rest with a layer of topsoil, so the babies has a good start in soil before the roots hit the poop.

I planted it with tomatoes and a few peppers and they did incredibly well.

[Windy in Kansas]

There was no question asked, but rather a statement was made.

[geo in mi]

Uhhhh,,,, Just want to clarify that the 'green stuff' that I place underneath my plants is Bluegill----(but you might call it 'bream')

geo

[Windy in Kansas]

Originally Posted by geo in mi

Uhhhh,,,, Just want to clarify that the 'green stuff' that I place underneath my plants is Bluegill----(but you might call it 'bream')

geo

Bream? Is that the stuff that Brylcream of the 1950s was made out of? Yuck. No wonder a little dab will do you, use more, only if you dare.