Goat manure is an organic material that serves as a natural soil amendment for various gardening applications. This byproduct offers a balanced nutrient profile and unique physical properties that improve soil health and support plant growth. By understanding its composition and proper preparation, gardeners can successfully integrate this resource into their fertilization strategy.
Key Nutritional Profile and Fertilizer Value
The primary benefit of using goat manure comes from its content of macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) (NPK). Raw goat manure is often higher in nitrogen than many other common livestock manures. Fresh solid manure may contain approximately 1.3% Nitrogen, 0.5% Phosphorus (P2O5), and 1.5% Potassium (K2O) by weight, though these values increase significantly after composting.
This nitrogen content promotes vegetative growth, resulting in healthy foliage and stems. Goat manure also supplies secondary nutrients like calcium and magnesium, along with micronutrients such as zinc. The organic matter breaks down slowly, which results in a steady, long-term nutrient release that feeds plants over the entire growing season. This slow-release characteristic avoids the sudden nutrient spike that can lead to “burning” or damaging plant roots.
Safe Preparation and Application Methods
Although goat manure is classified as a “cool” manure, suggesting a lower risk of burning plants than “hot” manures like chicken, composting or aging it is still recommended for safe use. Fresh manure can contain viable weed seeds and potentially harmful pathogens that composting helps to eliminate. The composting process involves maintaining a mix of organic materials and ensuring the pile reaches temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, which neutralizes these unwanted elements.
Aged or composted goat manure can be applied using several methods, depending on gardening needs and timing. For pre-planting soil enrichment, the composted material can be mixed directly into the garden bed soil at a depth of six to eight inches. A common ratio involves incorporating the manure at a rate of about one part manure to three parts soil or other amendments. For established plants, the manure can be used as a top dressing or mulch, allowing the nutrients to slowly leach into the soil with each watering. Another popular application method is creating a liquid fertilizer, often called “manure tea,” by steeping the manure in water and then using the nutrient-rich liquid to water plants.
Physical Characteristics That Simplify Use
The structure of goat droppings provides advantages for gardeners compared to other types of farm animal waste. Goats produce naturally dry, pelletized droppings that are easy to collect, handle, and spread throughout the garden. This pellet form is less messy and virtually odorless, making it a pleasant material to work with.
The dry, compact nature of the pellets helps them resist attracting insects, unlike wetter manures. Furthermore, the pelletized shape naturally improves aeration when mixed into a compost pile, which accelerates the decomposition process. Goat manure’s classification as a “cold” manure is related to its physical form and relatively lower moisture content, meaning it breaks down slowly and poses a reduced risk of chemically burning plant tissue. This combination of physical attributes makes the fertilizer easy to manage and ensures a gentle, sustained feeding for garden plants.