One of the most common natural fertilizers is rotted manure. Almost any organic gardening book will recommend it. But how well does it work on tomatoes, and if you have a choice, which type of manure makes the best tomato fertilizer?

Is Manure Any Good For Your Tomatoes?
By Annette Welsford

Manure remains the best of all fertilisers, with compost running a close second. Whilst the proportion of the three major nutrients that manure contains is rather low, and dollar for dollar artificial fertilisers do give more weight of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – manure rots down to make humus to benefit the soil and its micro-life.

When you buy manure, it is likely to be pretty fresh and far too strong and hot to use. You will need to leave it in a heap for six weeks or so, covered with a plastic sheet to keep the rain from leaching the nitrogen out. This also allows you to assess whether the manure contains a lot of weed seeds as they will germinate in this time. Those deep in the heap will probably be killed by the heat of fermentation and any that come up on the surface can be put on the compost heap. Or if there is room in the bin you can simply dump the manure on the compost heap.

If you feel that your tomato plants would benefit from a quick boost, then manure tea is a great way to encourage them. Simply put a couple of shovelfuls of manure into a Hessian bag and then steep it like an outsize teabag in a garbage bin full of water for a day or two until the water is the colour of weak tea. Do not use it on dry soil, however as it may be too concentrated.

Keep the lid on the garbage bin, the brew smells and will attract flies. It will keep for a week or so, or you can pour any leftovers on the compost heap, along with the contents of the used teabag.

Discover which type of manure is the best – cow, horse, sheep or poultry in How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes

Annette Welsford and Lucia Grimmer are the authors of the world best seller – How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes. The book has been developed following years of research and trials and is a valuable reference used by thousands of professional and amateur tomato growers.

With a Masters Degree in Plant Pathology, Lucia provides expert technical nutrition and disease advice to professional tomato growers around the globe. How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes features more than 230 photos of tomato varieties, cultivation techniques, nutrition deficiencies and pest and disease symptoms.

Annette's writing and design skills ensure the information can be understood by non-technical readers and is professional presented.

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