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NEWS MEDIA
May 9, 2002
Mary Lou Ihrke, Extension Educator Blue Earth County

By Naomi Fruechte, Extension Educator Houston County
PH: 507-725-5807

Safety Issues of Spreading Manure on the Garden

            A number of the bacteria associated with food borne illnesses are harbored in the intestinal tracts of animals and humans.  As a result, concerns are raised about the use of manure on the vegetable garden. 

            I discovered some guidelines to minimize the risks of contamination of ready-to-eat crops in a Canadian publication.  They are:

·        Place your garden in a location that is not affected by surface runoff from manure storage or from land spread with manure.

·        You should NOT apply fresh solid manure and slurries to gardens within 6 months of harvest.

·        You should NOT apply composted manure to gardens within 2 months of harvest.

·        Allow at least 4 months between livestock last being on the garden land and harvest.

·        Do NOT apply manure to ready to eat crops during the growing season.

·        Avoid contamination of growing vegetables from windborne drift during manure spreading, or by runoff from adjacent fields where manure has been spread.

There have been a number of food borne illness outbreaks throughout the U.S. that were the result of contamination of melons and vegetables by manure.  The common sense approach seems to be that livestock manure should be applied to the garden plot after harvest in the fall, if you intend to use it at all. 

All produce from the garden should be thoroughly washed in clean cold water before it is used.  In the case of firm skinned vegetables or fruits, use a vegetable brush to clean the surfaces well.  This is especially important with muskmelons and other rough-skinned produce.  Do not add detergents to the wash water.  Research has shown cold water is more effective than warm water.  Vegetables washed in warm water showed a more rapid re-growth of microorganisms than those washed in cold water.