Rett’s Garden Column-May 18, 2019

Question: Is it really safe to use animal manure in my vegetable garden?

Answer: Yes, animal manures can be used in vegetable gardens — but there is a “but.” They can be a potential source of human pathogens that can make you sick. There are certain procedures and waiting periods to reduce the potential risk to human health that should be observed. Animal manures can carry both E. coli and salmonella. The No. 1 hazard leading to foodborne illness from fresh produce is the application of organic fertilizer. For crops that contact the soil, like leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach, squash, cucumbers, strawberries), the suggested waiting period between the application of raw animal manure and harvest is 120 days. For crops that do not touch the soil (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, corn) the suggested waiting period is 90 days. If you use composted manure bought in bags at a garden center, there is no waiting period if it was properly composted. There are strict guidelines for composting manure. Old manure that has been in stables or barns for years is not composted, therefore the longer waiting periods should be observed. Poop has lots of benefits, but just because it is organic does not make it perfectly safe and harmless.


Question: Our family has been composting kitchen and food waste for years. Is it safer in the vegetable garden than animal manure?

Answer: The potential for contracting a foodborne illness is the same as animal manures. Your food scraps and any animal by-products (egg shells) have the potential to contaminate the compost with your own pathogens. Most of your food scraps were bitten or chewed by family members. Therefore, the same waiting periods for raw animal manure should be observed if you use this compost in your vegetable garden.


Question: The tree service we contacted last winter is coming to trim our trees next week. Isn’t it too late to trim trees?

Answer: Actually, early summer is considered a very good time to trim trees. This is especially true for the "bleeders" such as birch, dogwoods, maples and pines. In addition, it is easier for the workers to spot the dead limbs amongst the healthy branches. Any practice that removes over 25% of the foliage should be avoided to reduce stress on the tree.


Question: Our apple trees have not grown much since planted 3 or 4 years ago. Can we use the fertilizer sticks to give them a little nudge?

Answer: It is much easier, cheaper, and efficient to broadcast a granular fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 17-17-17. Split applications of fertilizer are recommended for apple trees with the first application in March followed by another one in late May. Young trees like yours would benefit from an application of fertilizer now. Spread the fertilizer evenly from the trunk out beyond the drip zone. One half pound of 10-10-10 is plenty for trees this size. Use 1/4 pound of 17-17-17.

