Deer can be both a blessing and a curse. Enjoy seeing a doe and her fawn in the mist early on a Sunday morning while they eat your garden. And that’s the problem. They can eat through a garden in no time.
You should know the answer to this important question: Can you use deer manure in gardens? This is true whether you love deer, hate them, or have a complicated relationship with them.
If you live near wild elk habitats or raise elk yourself, you may have access to a plentiful supply of elk droppings. Using elk manure as a fertilizer can enrich your garden soil with a variety of nutrients. But is elk poop actually a wise choice for your veggie beds and flower gardens? Let’s dig into the potential benefits and drawbacks of using elk manure as a fertilizer.
What is Elk Poop Exactly?
Before deciding if you want to use elk manure in your garden it helps to understand exactly what it is
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Elk poop consists of digested grass twigs leaves and other vegetation elk consume.
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It contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients plants need.
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Fresh elk droppings have a very high moisture content of around 50-80%.
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Elk manure has a moderate ammonia odor similar to cow manure when fresh.
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Dried elk pellets are small and oval-shaped with a dark brown color.
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Elk manure contains fewer weed seeds than horse manure since elks chew more thoroughly.
The nutrient and organic matter content gives elk poop fertilizer potential. But fresh manure needs composting before garden use.
Pros of Using Elk Manure in Your Garden
Composted elk droppings offer a number of benefits for your vegetable and flower beds:
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Improves soil structure and nutrient balance for healthier plants.
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Contains 2-3% nitrogen, 1-2% phosphate and 1-2% potash for vigorous growth.
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Rich in organic matter to help retain soil moisture and resist erosion.
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High in calcium which most plants need to thrive and produce fruit/flowers.
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Contains micronutrients like iron, magnesium, zinc and copper.
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Boosts populations of beneficial microbes in the soil.
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Is completely natural and safe for organic gardening.
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Provides slow-release nourishment as it breaks down over several seasons.
How to Compost Elk Manure for Garden Use
Before using elk droppings in your garden, it’s essential to compost the manure first to eliminate pathogens, kill weed seeds and moderate nutrient levels. Here are some tips:
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Allow fresh pellets to decompose outdoors for 9-12 months, turning occasionally.
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Mix elk manure with high-carbon materials like dried leaves, straw or wood chips.
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Maintain a C:N ratio of 25-30:1 as you build and turn the compost pile.
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Monitor internal temperature and maintain 130-150°F for at least 15 days to kill pathogens.
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Allow finished compost to cure for 2-3 months before spreading in the garden.
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Dig or till composted elk manure into soil beds at least 2-3 weeks before planting.
Following proper composting methods helps make elk manure safe and usable in your edible and ornamental gardens.
Ideal Garden Uses for Elk Manure Fertilizer
Composted elk poop works wonderfully as an organic fertilizer and soil amendment for:
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Vegetable gardens – Provides a balanced nutrient boost for tomatoes, carrots, peppers and more.
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Flower gardens – Supplies steady nourishment for perennials and flowering shrubs.
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Trees and fruits – Encourages strong roots, branches and higher yields.
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Raised beds and containers – Adds organic matter to enrich potting mixes.
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Lawn top dressing – The slow nutrient release feeds grass evenly.
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Pasture enhancement – Restores nutrients removed in haying or grazing.
Elk manure is versatile enough for nearly any garden use when composted properly.
Potential Drawbacks of Using Elk Manure
While the benefits clearly outweigh the risks, there are a few potential downsides to keep in mind:
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Can burn plants if applied fresh or in excessive amounts.
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May contain antibiotic residues or pathogens if not fully composted.
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Adds substantial nitrogen which some trees/shrubs don’t prefer.
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Has a strong odor during decomposing/composting phase.
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Requires 2-3 month composting process before garden application.
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Can attract unwanted pests like flies during decomposition.
With some prudent precautions taken, none of these issues are a major cause for concern in most home gardens.
Is Elk Poop a Smart Organic Fertilizer Choice?
For most gardeners with access to free elk manure, using composted droppings as an organic fertilizer and amendment makes perfect sense. It’s entirely natural, free of chemicals, and provides an array of key nutrients plants thrive on.
However, properly composting elk pellets is essential to eliminate health risks and moderate nutrient levels. With a proper composting setup and protocol, elk manure can be a sustainably harvested and highly effective organic fertilizer for your garden.
The Bottom Line
If you live near wild elk or raise elk, taking advantage of this free garden resource is smart. Composted elk manure offers organic nutrients and promotes healthier soil and plants. While some precautions are needed, the benefits far outweigh the minor drawbacks. With the right composting and application techniques, elk poop can be a fabulous fertilizer option for green thumbs looking to boost their garden organically.
Safety Issues of Deer Poop in the Garden
Any type of manure that is raw poses a risk of contaminating crops with pathogens. You can potentially get sick from this kind of fertilizing. Those at highest risk are young children and the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women.
The National Organic Program says that any crop that doesn’t touch the soil should wait 90 days after mixing raw manure with fertilizer before it is picked. For crops that do touch the soil, the recommendation is 120 days.
Fertilizing with Deer Manure
Using manure as a fertilizer is not a new practice. People long ago discovered that manure is full of nutrients. Depending on what the deer ate, deer droppings on plants or grass may give your grass or plants extra nutrients.
In the wild, the deer diet is pretty limited, meaning their droppings are not very nutrient-rich. But suburban deer and those feeding around farms may have more nutrients to offer in their waste.
Letting the droppings sit on your lawn for a while might help it grow, but it’s not nearly as good as a regular fertilizing program. To get the most out of the extra nutrients, you would need to gather piles of deer poop and spread it out more evenly on your lawn and in beds.
Moose poop or elk poop?
FAQ
Can I use deer poop as fertilizer?
How long does it take for elk poop to dry?
Can I put deer poop in my compost?
Is deer poop bad for the garden?
Is Elk poop good for plants?
Elk poop is good for plants as it contains vital nutrients that can help them develop properly. Yes, elk poop may be dangerous, and no, it may not be. It all depends on the reason/circumstance behind the question. For example, elk poop is good for plants as it contains vital nutrients that can help them develop properly.
What are the benefits of using human feces as fertilizer?
Manure is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium which are essential nutrients for plant growth. Additionally, it contains beneficial microbes which help to break down organic matter and improve soil structure. Using human feces as fertilizer has many benefits.
Can animal waste be used as fertilizer?
Bonnie’s viewpoint: If you really think about it, using animal waste as a fertilizer is mildly disgusting. However, properly cured and composted manure is an excellent source of nitrogen and other nutrients and helps improve soil health.
Can human poop be used as fertilizer?
In recent years, the use of human poop as fertilizer has become more popular due to its cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Using human poop as fertilizer is relatively straightforward. The first step is to collect the waste from a septic tank or other source. It should then be treated with anaerobic bacteria to reduce odor and pathogens.