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05/09/12, 11:54 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 235
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Something pooped in my garden
I was going to plant some veggies in front of my apartment this year. Actually I had already planted carrot seeds, but they haven't started coming in yet. Anyways, I just went outside and noticed something had disturbed the dirt near them, so I went to investigate. Looked like poop or something had regurgitated something. So I get the shovel to move it, and yup, it's definitely poop. It wasn't buried as well as a cat would do, plus the paw marks looked a little big for a cat. So I'm thinking a smallish dog. So I look elsewhere in the garden to make sure there's no other disturbed spot, and I notice another turd, only this ones not buried at all, but is almost touching the building! Really?!?! What would seriously try to poop on the building?! Another small dog size one at that. Ugh. There are one neighbors here who have 2 small dogs, but they are usually good about watching them when they are out. These are fresh between last night and noon today. I was going to put a fence up before I actually get to planting more stuff cause we have a ton of rabbits here, and some woodchucks that help themselves to my plants.
Now I'm wondering if it's even worth planting anything there. I'm kinda grossed out by my find. What would you do or recommend?  
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05/09/12, 12:00 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,946
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Hmmm....It seems a little odd to be a gardener and afraid of a little poop. I am not being mean I just feel like there was no harm done. I am sure you have a little garden shovel and the problem is solved. A fence is probably a good idea because the rabbits will definately help themselves with the greens.
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05/09/12, 12:01 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,946
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OH and definately worth planting. Fresh tomatoes, carrots, radishes, peppers...so much better than storebought.
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05/09/12, 12:06 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 235
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I'm not afraid of a little poop, I'm more concerned that I'm not sure of the source of the poop and what contaminants that could be in it. I'm asking only cause animals that eat meat are supposed to have their poop composted before being used as a fertilizer due to health reasons, or so that's what I've been told!
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05/09/12, 12:13 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,946
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I know, I just had to chuckle when I first read it and meant no disrespect at all. If you remove it with the small shovel it will be fine.
The reason I believe that some animal poop has to be composted is because it is considered "hot" poop. Fresh manures are too strong and raw for most growing plants. It contains a lot of available soluble nitrogen in the form of ammonium or proteins. Most raw animal manures contain the wrong form of nitrogen and the wrong form of bacteria for gardening use, from the original animal's digestive tract. This can burn or kill plants if abused. Compost will never burn or kill plants.
"Cold" poop such as rabbit can be put in the garden right out of the barn and will not hurt the plants.
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05/09/12, 12:20 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 235
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Atleast one of us smiled from it  I'm not offended, but I am kinda new to the whole gardening thing, and still trying to learn what's good and beneficial and what's not. Mostly I just wanted to rant for a minute and then ask if it was still ok to use the spot or not.
Thank you for answering, as grown veggies are definitely a million times better than what is sold in the grocery stores. I am glad that I can use the spot as I was really hoping for some home grown veggies!
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05/09/12, 12:20 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: SC
Posts: 244
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nightfire
Really?!?! What would seriously try to poop on the building?!
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It sounds like a dog to me. Our black Lab used to back into a building, tree or bush, or he would straddle a small bush or clump of grass. It always made me laugh. I told my DH it was because he didn't want us to step on it. 
__________________
Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. Proverbs 19:20 NLT
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05/09/12, 12:22 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,022
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Most poop is good for a garden......Cow, horse, swine,mixed in well with the soil...plants will jump...
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05/09/12, 12:27 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Eastern N.C.
Posts: 8,834
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Just be glad it wasn't what was in my garden last night.A bear with a paw print bigger than my cap.You would need a wheel bearer and a shovel . 
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05/09/12, 12:32 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 235
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05/09/12, 12:36 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 377
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I wouldn't worry too much about it. The building poop definately sounds like a dog to me. I have a pomeranian who likes to poop ON things. Like buildings, rocks or plants. I think it makes him feel like it won't get stuck to his fur that way.
Anyway, guildelines for uncomposted manure (I know they aren't talking about dog or cat manure here but heck with it) say that application has to be 90 days before harvest for plants who's edible parts don't touch the ground or 120 days for things like lettuce who's edlible parts do touch the ground.
However, you really don't want pets going to the bathroom in your garden. It's just not very appetizing. Try to fence them out if you can.
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05/09/12, 12:48 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 235
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Sunshinytraci, that is some very good info to know. Thank you as I had no idea about uncomposted manure guidelines. I have to wait for the landlord so I can get the fence in without going through any wires that might be buried, but I'm hoping to do that within the next week. It really isn't very appetizing lol!
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05/09/12, 02:37 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Idaho
Posts: 11,431
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I have the same problem. And the real problem is the animal keeps digging up the seedlings. If it were my animal i could control it. But it's not so I have to tolerate the stupid thing. Or keep it out myself.
You might consiter a small fence of some sort. A little poop is tolerable till your hand is full of it.
It's also different if you know where it comes from. But if you don't know how well the animal is taken care of and its fresh instead of composted poop, then I would prefer they keep their animal home.
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05/09/12, 04:18 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 19,335
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Yes poop contains pathogens that can be dangerous. Raccoon and cat are especially bad. However, you can still use the spot for gardening. Just be sure to wash everything that came in contact with the soil well before eating. And fence out the offending critter.
Somebody's dog once straddled and pooped on my holly bush. It had been stuck in the bush through several rains before I saw it. But I would rather deal with dog than bear. Bear aren't so easy to fence out.
Fast easy fencing, wood or bamboo stakes and some poultry netting (chicken wire, hex fence whatever you want to call it) effective against most dogs, cats and rabbits. Not effective against squirrels, groundhogs or raccoons.
Last edited by Danaus29; 05/09/12 at 04:21 PM.
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05/09/12, 05:43 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: True Northern California
Posts: 13,455
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I don't know if someone has mentioned already but not even composted dog poop should be used. Some pathogens might very well make it through the heat cycle. I certainly would not use any wild animal poop as I don't hot compost at all.
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05/09/12, 06:27 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: north Alabama
Posts: 10,811
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Have you asked your neighbors?
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05/09/12, 08:26 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Missouri Ozarks
Posts: 5,069
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea
Have you asked your neighbors?
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You think the neighbors pooped in her garden Harry? If they did I doubt they would fess up!!  
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05/09/12, 09:06 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 545
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My first thought was raccoon poop. Which as Danuas mentioned, contains pathogens that can be dangerous. The moral of the story here, is know your poop, or, get the scoop on poop.... 
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05/09/12, 09:52 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: north Alabama
Posts: 10,811
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I was more thinking that they might have seen something, but now that you mention it...
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05/09/12, 10:02 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 235
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I haven't talked to the neighbors as I didn't actually see their dogs doing it. I'm also not 100% sure if that's what it came from. The size of the poop and the size of the paw marks around the one poop fit their dog sizes. But generally, they watch their dogs when they are outside. The only time I have seen them run over, was when my mom's little dog was staying here. They had turf wars lol! But he hasn't been here for a while. I suppose it could be raccoon poop, but I haven't seen any signs of a raccoon around here. Also not sure if they try to cover it up at all or not. As our garbage is kept out behind the apartment, and hasn't been gotten into, I wouldn't guess raccoons.
Think perhaps tomorrow I'll move out as much of the dirt that could be contaminated as I can. I got a good portion of it out, but the one that was semi buried is the one that worries me most for health reasons. Just want to make sure I got it all removed!
I will wash and scrub anything that comes out of the garden or from the grocery store or from someone else's garden. I've seen my share of dead bugs in bought stuff, and you never know what's really on the food from a garden if your not watching it all the time 
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