I have just last week planted some 18 to 24" plants in-ground
I put about 3" of horse manure as a top dressing over them, did I kill the little guys?
I know, I should have asked BEFORE I did it!

Thanks

Cecil, gosh i hope there ok what do the plants look like as compared to before?
If fresh manure it could easily kill them plants i would think as that stuff burns when fresh i have heard, but never used it before.

was the horse manure fresh (did it smell like the back-end of a large animal)?  It not, its likely they'll be fine.  If you're worried, just rake it away from the plants a bit.

~Chills


If it was fresh, I personally would remove as much as I could and let it rot a while.  But even if you don't, I've heard that horse manure generally is less damaging than cow (fresh)....or was it vice-versa?

If you don't water the manure in, and don't water through it, the issues, if any will be mitigated. Sort of turning it into a slow-release fertilizer.

Thanks Guys

Martin, the plants look OK to me, I lost a few of the bigger leafs on my Sal's #1,(might have been beat off from the HEAVY rains) and the manure wasn't "fresh" for the most part it looked like regular East TX. sand!

Chills, It wasn't smelling like the South end of a North bound
Pony.....Thanks

Jon,
After I planted them, we had nearly 5" of rain in about 36 hrs.

Again, thanks Guys

Cecil,

I have used horse manure on figs for over 30 years. This is all they get with a light liming each year. I have used it green and aged and never any problems. All of mine are in the ground. The trees are very healthy and I feel that the manure helps greatly with nematodes as I am in nematode country.

Good growing.

Jack

I have used horse manure on many things (figs aren't one of them) without problems. But small, new, or young plants do often require a little more caution, dilution of fertilizers, etc. even if well established or mature plants can tolerate things at full dose, or more. Kind of like smaller doses of drugs, vitamins, etc. for children, even if adults can take it full strength.

Thanks Jack,

That is very encouraging, and Yes I am in RKN country too!!!
I guess time will tell if the plants make it, I will keep everyone updated! So far they look fine!

Jon,
What you said also makes plenty sense to me!

Thanks very much.