Using Manure Safely in the Home Vegetable Garden

From Extension Collaborative Wiki

If you use manure in your garden, take precautions

Home gardeners should be aware that if you grow your produce in soil amended with unsterilized animal manure, you may expose your family to pathogens, microorganisms which may cause disease.

Microorganisms which have been linked to manure applications include bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli 0157:H7. Parasites found in manure include roundworms and tapeworms. These hazards can be avoided with a little common sense and care.

To reduce health risks, wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating them. Use a vegetable brush to remove visible soil.

If you use unsterilized manure to amend your soil, you should be especially careful when washing garden produce that has had direct contact with soil or irrigation water. Carrots, onions, lettuce, radishes, and other crops eaten raw should be especially well washed. Peeling vegetables also helps insure your produce is safe.

Safe handling is particularly important when fruits and vegetables will be eaten by people who are more prone to get food poisoning. Young children, pregnant women, older adults and those with cancers, AIDS and other illnesses that affect the immune system are more susceptible than others.

To lower your risk from soil-borne pathogens:

• Apply manure at least 60 days before harvesting any garden vegetables to be eaten raw. Fall is the best time to amend soil with manure; it allows enough time for breakdown of pathogens before spring planting.
• Never apply manure after root crops or to produce that comes in contact with the soil is planted.
• Do not use dog, cat or pig manures in gardens or compost piles because pathogens or parasites may survive and remain infectious to people.

Adapted from: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/story.php?S_No=50&storyType=garden

By: Carol Savonen, Science Writer, Oregon State University Extension Service

Source: Carolyn Raab, Extension Foods & Nutrition Specialist, Oregon State University

--Sherry 21:44, 26 February 2007 (EST)