Is manure good for the fig tree?
What type and how much?
Whats the best age to start using it?
I can get from horse mixed with a little hey ( straws), is that ok?

I WOULD mix it with leaves and lawn clippings let it rot and make some good compost .

I think manure is very good for figs. I get some from a local stable that hasn't seen a horse in a long time - it's already well-composted. I mix it about 1/3 with whatever other mix I am using. The figs do really well with it.

I start using it in the first transplanting to gallon containers after the roots of the cutting are very well formed. Better to wait too long so the root ball won't be disturbed than to transplant too soon and damage the roots by falling apart. This requires patience. :)

using some biocompost that smells like manur a bit and the leafs are much greener and bigger and the fig tree grows like a weed.
i have so much compost that i use it as mulch also.
be carfull with using too much compost or manure for young trees less them 1 foot in height.
also check this: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1258&context=animalscinbcr
trees like basic soils?
maybe other memebrs think different ?

[QUOTE=elin]using some biocompost that smells like manur a bit and the leafs are much greener and bigger and the fig tree grows like a weed.<BR>i have so much compost that i use it as mulch also.<BR>be carfull with using too much compost or manure for young trees less them 1 foot in height.<BR>also check this: <A href="http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1258&context=animalscinbcr" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1258&context=animalscinbcr</A><BR>trees like basic soils?<BR>maybe other memebrs think different ?[/QUOTE]

Do i still fertilize if i use manure?

are u 100% organic or not?

found this in google http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html

[QUOTE=elin]<P>are u 100% organic or not? <BR><BR>found this in google <A href="http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html</A></P>[/QUOTE]

I want to go organic when i plant my first fig tree

What will make the fig taste better, fertilizing it or going organic?
What will make this fig tree grow faster?

Get bunny poop. It's perfect stuff and it will not burn anything. Fool proof. You can just throw it anywhere.

Whatever you use, be careful. As Michael suggested, some fresh manures burn, especially cow manure. Vegetable manures are safer, but might still need to cure. Your horse manure is probably mixed with straw, not hay. Straw is the left over cuttings from harvesting wheat and oats, used for bedding. Hay is fresh grass or alfalfa, used for food. They have different nutritive values to the soil.

[QUOTE=mgginva]Get bunny poop. It's perfect stuff and it will not burn anything. Fool proof. You can just throw it anywhere.[/QUOTE]

Bunny poop? Were can i find THAT, i live in the city.
I I heard chicken poop is the best

I would not use chicken poop....way to strong....trust me, I grew up on a poultry farm.  You will certainly burn your figs.  Bunny poop is indeed good....I use that without any problem.  If you can get horse manure, let it age for a few weeks and you should be fine.  As for a source of manure, check with the zoo...they have to do something with it....lol...

[QUOTE=Alan1631]I would not use chicken poop....way to strong....trust me, I grew up on a poultry farm.  You will certainly burn your figs.  Bunny poop is indeed good....I use that without any problem.  If you can get horse manure, let it age for a few weeks and you should be fine.  As for a source of manure, check with the zoo...they have to do something with it....lol...[/QUOTE]

You are right, the ZOO

Thanks for the tip

Do i mix it with the soil or do i just put it right on top?

In Seattle the zoo packages the "doo" and then they have weekend events to sell their "ZOODOO".

You could buy a bunny :)

One of the issues with manure is the salts in it. If you have heavy or clay type soils, leaching those salts out of the root zone can be an issue. If you have sand or decomposed Granite (DG), which drains really quickly, it is less of an issue. Anything organic is generally good for the soil.

[QUOTE=elin]<P>are u 100% organic or not? <BR><BR>found this in google <A href="http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html</A></P>[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the link

[QUOTE=javajunkie]In Seattle the zoo packages the "doo" and then they have weekend events to sell their "ZOODOO".<br><br>You could buy a bunny :)[/QUOTE]

That's not a bad idea, maybe i can buy 1 or 2 bunnies and
fence them under the fig tree lol

[QUOTE=pitangadiego]One of the issues with manure is the salts in it. If you have heavy or clay type soils, leaching those salts out of the root zone can be an issue. If you have sand or decomposed Granite (DG), which drains really quickly, it is less of an issue. Anything organic is generally good for the soil.[/QUOTE]

Thank for the info

I think you may be on to something. Little fences around the fig trees and you could rotate the bunnies every day. No grass under the trees and lots of free fertilizer. I love it!

Scratch the bunnies. They will eat the bark off the tree.

I just bought 10 50lb bag rabbit manure for the spring from my local farmer.. :). At $4 a bag I think it was a bargain. Check your local Craigslist.

If Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey comes to your town give the arena a call. At the Meadowlands, people line up to take the Elephant doo away. Way too powerful to use straight, needs a little aging first. Read about it in my local paper, never used it  

I raise rabbits and the manure from them is really the best.  You can use it fresh and just scatter it around or work it in to the soil.  While some may argue you can do the same with horse manure.  Horses are very inefficient digesting their food so the manure is high in raw plant fibers.  Weed seeds also pass through the horses which can be a problem.  I get about a pick up load a week of manure mixed with pine shavings from the doc that lives around the corner.  It is probably 90% pine shavings.  I use it on my blueberries but I let it mellow (rest) for 6 months to let the PH drop as horse urine has a very high PH....good for figs bad for blueberries.   I also have chickens (19) and ducks (22) they free range but are locked up at night to keep them safe and their manure while good is very potent and is best mixed with green and brown plant wastes and allowed to compost though I do use it straight around the bananas.  

[QUOTE=Figs4Life][QUOTE=elin]<P>are u 100% organic or not? <BR><BR>found this in google <A href="http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html</A></P>[/QUOTE] I want to go organic when i plant my first fig tree What will make the fig taste better, fertilizing it or going organic? What will make this fig tree grow faster? [/QUOTE]

Everyone has their preferences, but when it comes to food crops, I prefer organic. 

I still fertilize, I just use organic fertilizers to do it.  I think of it more as feeding the soil than feeding the plants, since it's the soil that feeds the plants.

So, instead of a chemical fertilizer containing N/P/K and micro nutrients, you'd add things like Blood Meal, Bone Meal, Fish Meal, etc. and for the micro nutrients, something like rockdust (or a commercial organic fertilizer with the range of micro nutes).  Seaweed meal is expensive, but has the full range of micro and macro nutrients.

Animal manures also contain the full range of macro and trace elements, but you'd probably want to apply it regularly (once per month, or so) or supplement with other fertilizers, since it's low in some of the elements.

I should point out the the full range of macro & micro nutrients is not necessarily needed to grow a healthy plant, but to get the healthiest, most vigorous plant, and the most nutrition from the fruits/vegetables, the full range should be available.

If you have a spring-time parade in your area, you could always go near the end point and talk to the poop scoop troop when they get there.

If anyone is looking for manure, horse in particular, look in the yellow pages for riding stables, boarding facitilies, and so forth. Call and ask if they have manure you can pick up for free. If they don't, ask if they know anyone who does give it away. It's out there. :)

There are two places I can get it easily. One is a private stable that advertised on Craig's list. The other is a volunteer adaptive riding facility that lets gardeners drive in and take what they want from their large 'collection pile'. They have a box for donations for their cause.

Our local zoo also has 'ZooPoo'. I've never gotten that. Too far away.

I'd love to get some bunny poo, but don't know anyone who keeps rabbits.

[QUOTE=Fi][QUOTE=Figs4Life][QUOTE=elin]<P>are u 100% organic or not? <BR><BR>found this in google <A href="http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html</A></P>[/QUOTE] I want to go organic when i plant my first fig tree What will make the fig taste better, fertilizing it or going organic? What will make this fig tree grow faster? [/QUOTE]<br><br>Everyone has their preferences, but when it comes to food crops, I prefer organic.  <br><br>I still fertilize, I just use organic fertilizers to do it.  I think of it more as feeding the soil than feeding the plants, since it's the soil that feeds the plants.<br><br>So, instead of a chemical fertilizer containing N/P/K and micro nutrients, you'd add things like Blood Meal, Bone Meal, Fish Meal, etc. and for the micro nutrients, something like rockdust (or a commercial organic fertilizer with the range of micro nutes).  Seaweed meal is expensive, but has the full range of micro and macro nutrients.<br><br>Animal manures also contain the full range of macro and trace elements, but you'd probably want to apply it regularly (once per month, or so) or supplement with other fertilizers, since it's low in some of the elements.<br><br>I should point out the the full range of macro & micro nutrients is not necessarily needed to grow a healthy plant, but to get the healthiest, most vigorous plant, and the most nutrition from the fruits/vegetables, the full range should be available.<br><br>[/QUOTE]

What do you mean when you say blood meal and fish meal?
Were can I find bone meal ?
And what's the right dose mixture?

So even any type of seaweed is good ? I'll just go down to the beach and get some, wat is a safe amount to put?

Is there any benefits if I mix into the soil some banana peels or any other fruit peels? What about some cut grass after a lawn the grass ? Dry leaf,Fish bones,Dropped fig? Is this good or am I going to invite some mice like that?

[QUOTE=Figs4Life][QUOTE=Fi][QUOTE=Figs4Life][QUOTE=elin]<P>are u 100% organic or not? <BR><BR>found this in google <A href="http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/use-organic-inorganic-fertilizers-2536.html</A></P>[/QUOTE] I want to go organic when i plant my first fig tree What will make the fig taste better, fertilizing it or going organic? What will make this fig tree grow faster? [/QUOTE]<br><br>Everyone has their preferences, but when it comes to food crops, I prefer organic.  <br><br>I still fertilize, I just use organic fertilizers to do it.  I think of it more as feeding the soil than feeding the plants, since it's the soil that feeds the plants.<br><br>So, instead of a chemical fertilizer containing N/P/K and micro nutrients, you'd add things like Blood Meal, Bone Meal, Fish Meal, etc. and for the micro nutrients, something like rockdust (or a commercial organic fertilizer with the range of micro nutes).  Seaweed meal is expensive, but has the full range of micro and macro nutrients.<br><br>Animal manures also contain the full range of macro and trace elements, but you'd probably want to apply it regularly (once per month, or so) or supplement with other fertilizers, since it's low in some of the elements.<br><br>I should point out the the full range of macro & micro nutrients is not necessarily needed to grow a healthy plant, but to get the healthiest, most vigorous plant, and the most nutrition from the fruits/vegetables, the full range should be available.<br><br>[/QUOTE] What do you mean when you say blood meal and fish meal? Were can I find bone meal ? And what's the right dose mixture? So even any type of seaweed is good ? I'll just go down to the beach and get some, wat is a safe amount to put?[/QUOTE]

Blood Meal, Bone Meal, Fish Meal, and Seaweed Meal are all different types of organic fertilizers.  Although I suspect "raw" seaweed gathered from the beach would contain good beneficial nutrients and micro organisms, I personally would probably compost it before adding to my garden.  There are, however, a number of seaweed extract organic fertilizers available.

Here's a sample of some different organic fert's from Home Depot:

- Blood Meal
- Bone Meal
- Fish Meal (HD has some organic fish fertilizers, but this is fish meal)
- Seaweed (Kelp) Meal

I basically apply using the directions on the package and add to my soil mix (technically, there's no soil in the mix - just compost/vermiculite/peat moss plus the amendments). 

I also do both Bokashi Composting and Vermicomposting (using worms) to supplement my mix.

[QUOTE=Figs4Life]Is there any benefits if I mix into the soil some banana peels or any other fruit peels? What about some cut grass after a lawn the grass ? Dry leaf,Fish bones,Dropped fig? Is this good or am I going to invite some mice like that?[/QUOTE]

All of those items contain good nutrients for the soil but would need to be broken down before they can be used by the plants, which is why I compost first.  You can add them, but you do risk attracting rodents and the rotting that occurs can have a negative effect on the plants.

my uncle puts the Horse manure into a sack then it goes into a water butt, then he feed his plants with the water.

I have bunnies and I use the poo all the time. It won't burn plants like chicken poo. When I have more than I need I post on the yahoo group "Bunny Power for gardens". You can find it and get rid of it there....usually for free, here's the link....

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bunnypowerforgardens/?yguid=473855892

Hi, I've used horse manure and sheep. Using it, I have had great results. Sheep and chicken have high nitrogen so I would watch your amount because you can burn your fig trees. Luigi

[QUOTE=Wildforager]I have bunnies and I use the poo all the time. It won't burn plants like chicken poo. When I have more than I need I post on the yahoo group "Bunny Power for gardens". You can find it and get rid of it there....usually for free, here's the link....<br><br><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bunnypowerforgardens/?yguid=473855892" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bunnypowerforgardens/?yguid=473855892</a>[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the link

Composted sheep manure is no problem, I have used it 50-50 with coir and had nothing but great results. 

Is anybody using mushroom manure/compost?

I would compost it first. Pretty much any manure you buy is really strong stuff. If you do put it around a tree, make sure its an older tree that can take it.

YES! I found bunny manure I think I will mix horse and bunny manure

Freash horse poo is to hot (high in nitrogen) mix with straw, leaves, lawn clipping and let it cook a bit to make compose.

As for organic I grow organic. Use bonemeal whenground thaws and isn't likly to freeze again. Use bloodmeal when the firast buds start popping open. Top dress the plants with the compost you have made. Repeat every three to four months on inground trees. At least that's works great here.

Over winter while figs are asleep try to work compost in to the first 3 to 4 inches of soil. It will improve every year.

I use sheep manure in my garden. Natural, slow release pellets.

Cow manure is good does wonders for ur soil,ive been potting up with the 511 mix man does it dry up fast next time going to use cow manure with compost with the mix.

Old topic but I use what comes out of my horse barn, mostly sawdust and horse waste. I use this for everything with good results. Tomatoes and squash need tums for calcium or I get blossom end rot. I guess figs may need tums too. Not sure what else, any ideas?

I plant my figs in a mixture of about 3 parts composed cow manure, 1 part course sand. They seem to love it. Also, last fall I mulched 2-3 ft around each tree with well-composed manure. I am going to skip any chemical fertilizer this spring and see how it goes.

As with most fruits, manure or other high nitrogen fertilizers will make your figs look great. Big leaves and lots of growth. If you like growing ornamentals pour it on. If you want lots of high quality fruit then go easy on the nitrogen.

Horse manure is not as high in Nitrogen as most manures like cow, sheep or pig. It does however provide a great deal of organic material to lighten a heavy soil which is good.  It is a 'hot' manure however and should be composted before before using unless you live where the ground freezes during the winter.  If so it works really well when applied after the ground freezes and allowed to break down over the winter and work its way down to the root zone. Decaying horse manure releases heat as it decays which may serve to protect roots in winter and help warm the soil a bit earlier in spring.  The French used to use it to heat coldframes to force earlier production of produce in spring.

If you get it from a commercial stable you should ask about whether they lime their stalls to dry them out and reduce flies. If they do, then you might need to reduce the amount of lime you use on your trees. The PH can get pretty high with limed horse manures. We compost it with chopped leaves and grass clippings over the winter and plough it into the garden in spring.  We have gone from brick making red clay hardpan to having a layer of beautiful dark brown topsoil in our garden.

What is the proper Ph for figs?

I'm not sure if this has been covered up-thread but you want to make sure that the horse (or other) manure you get isn't contaminated with herbicides.  This can occur if the horses ingested hay that was treated with herbicides.  It may or may not break down via composting. This is definitely a problem for vegetable gardens and could be a problem for figs as well.  Maybe someone has more info. about this.

What about worm castings. I have had some plants grow well with it. But could be luck as there is no proof it was the cause for growth.

I had my car towed recently and learned a lesson from the towing driver. he was from Iraq, his dad was a tomato farmer there. he was happy to see that my chicken run free in my 'less than 10min from downtown' yard.  In chatting with him, he wanted to teach me how his dad used the manure.

Really does not matter if fresh or composted.  Take a shovel full of their waste and soak it in a bucket with water for 3-4 days.. it stinks! ewww... then, moist the soil and pour that slime soaking poo on the soil near the roots (not on the leaves).... repeat every week... if needed water the plant a bit more...  with my large tree, I carved a trench on the base about 3 feet from the trunk and pour all my excess poo mix.

You can also do this with weeds/leaves, compost or bunny poo.. soak them, once diluted it is easier for the plant to absorb.  My yard explodes with growth, and yes, this year, my fig tree produced its best crop ever.  

our local Zoo seels Zoodoo, people line up and pay lots for it. however, it is mosly wooden chips and little manure.

When you mix fresh manure with water it leaches a lot of ammonia out which gets dispelled as gas to the air making it safer, I didn't realize you could do it with chicken manure so quickly with no ill effect, that is very good to know thanks for sharing Grasa.  I had always heard if you have fresh rabbit manure you can leach it and use right away just to be safe but wasn't necessary.