What type of manure makes the best tea for plants?

Good question. All plants benefit from manure tea, primarily from the microorganisms the steeping encourages as this goes into the soil, breaking it down to make the roots take up nutrients more readily. Horse manure is probably more available to the urban household, and thus the most commonly thought of by manure tea brewers. Cow manure is more digested than Horse so the Nitrogen content is slightly lower. Chicken manure is higher in Nitrogen from the Urea that is part of the manure. Chicken manure is recommended mostly for acid-loving plants and lawns.


Nutrient Comparison of different Manures:

ManureNitrogen (N) %Phosphorus (P) %Potash or Potassium (K) %
Chicken1.1.80.50
Horse.70.30.60
Steer.70.30.40
Goat.70.30.90

Sources: Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, An Illustrated Guide to Organic Gardening, by Sunset Publishing, and the Rodale Guide to Composting. Note: Nutrient values of manures vary greatly, depending on the diet and age of the animals.



So how does the plant utilize the big three -- N-P-K?



Nitrogen (N) is necessary for aboveground growth of plants. Nitrate produces green leaves. Nitrate is the compound produced when nitrogen combines with other elements to produce a salt. Ammonia nitrogen (NH3), the compound produced by nitrogen and hydrogen, is used by plants to produce fruit and seeds. Ammonia nitrogen is a gas and volatilizes into the air. If there is too much nitrogen, plants have rapid growth but tend to be weak, which makes them break easily and be more prone to disease. When there is not enough nitrogen, plants are stunted and foliage is yellow, not healthy green. The best organic sources of nitrogen come from plant and animal by-products.


Phosphorus (P), or phosphate, helps plants transport and assimilate nutrients. During photosynthesis, it helps the plant produce sugars. Plants cannot grow or fight disease without it. Phosphorus is crucial for plants to develop healthy root systems, set fruit and to mature.


Potassium (K), commonly called potash, enables plants to develop strong, thick stems, healthy roots and large, plentiful fruit. Potassium plays a leading role in plant sugar production. Manufacturing sugar helps a plant protect itself from intense heat and cold, and aids in disease resistance.