When should I use manure versus chemical fertilizer for crops?

The choice between manure and fertilizer depends on your goal: long-term soil health or a quick, targeted nutrient boost.

• Use Manure for Long-Term Soil Building:
  • Before Planting: Apply manure a few weeks before planting a new crop. This is the best time to improve the fundamental health and structure of your soil, increase its water-holding capacity, and build a foundation of slow-release nutrients for the entire season.
  • To Improve Poor Soil: If your soil is sandy, compacted, or low in organic matter, manure is the ideal solution to build it up over time.
• Use Chemical Fertilizer for a Quick, Targeted Boost:
  • To Correct a Specific Deficiency: If a soil test shows your soil is low in a specific nutrient (like phosphorus), a targeted fertilizer can quickly fix the problem.
  • During Peak Growth: High-demand crops may need an extra boost of nitrogen during their rapid growth phase. A dose of fertilizer can provide this instant energy.
  • For Container Plants: Plants in pots have limited soil and need regular feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer to thrive.
  • Best Practice: The most effective approach is to use manure to build healthy soil and then use fertilizers sparingly, only when needed to address specific plant requirements.