how to use horseman you're in a garden men you're from grazing animals such as horses provides a readily accessible source of nitrogen for growing plants freshmen your is too hot for immediate use however because it heats as it releases its initial burst of nitrogen which can burn plants fully composted manure contains fewer pathogens than freshman year and is cool enough to provide nutrients to soil without harming plants things you will need straw chopped dead leaves or other carbon rich material tape measure waterproof gloves respirator mask three to five square foot compost bin grass clippings or other green waste optional pitchfork watering device soil probe thermometer Spade or power tiller straw bark chips or other mulch step one lay a four inch thick layer of carbon-rich material such as straw or chopped dead leaves in a three to five square foot compost bin at a four inch thick layer of fresh horse manure on top of the carbon material wear waterproof gloves in a respirator mask when handling freshmen your continue to alternate carbon and horsemen your layers until the compost pile is no more than four feet tall if you don't have a sufficient amount of horse manure then mix the amount you have with up to an equal amount of green waste such as grass clippings step 2 mix them in urine Carbon layers together with a pitchfork water the compost as you turn it until the entire pile is evenly moist a properly moistened pile should feel damp but water should not trickle out if you squeeze a handful of the compost step three turn the compost pile rearranging and mixing its materials once every week with a pitchfork for the first month or until the pile begins to heat reduce turning into every two weeks when the compost begins to heat move material from inside the pile toward its outside to help speed the composting process and to ensure the entire pile heats evenly water the compost pile when turning it so all of its contents remain evenly moist leave a small indent in the piles top after turning the pile the indent will collect moisture between turning and watering sessions step 4 insert a soil probe thermometer into the compost periodically monitoring the piles temperature a compost pile containing manure should heat to 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit heat kills weed seeds and pathogens in the manure step 5 turn the compost again after it begins to cool cooling usually occurs within a few days to two weeks after the compost initially heats allow the compost to cure and fully decompose for an additional two to six months before using it in a garden finished compost resembles dark healthy soil and produces an earthy aroma step 1 break up the top ten inches of soil in the new garden bed with a spade or power tiller plan to apply compost at Horstman you're one to two weeks before planting step 2 spread about one pound of compost at Horstman your over every one square foot of garden bed soil surface step 3 mix the composted manure with the loosened soil in the garden bed by using a spade or power tiller incorporating them in your thoroughly with the soil cover the bed with a 2-inch thick layer of mulch such as straw or bark chips the mulch will prevent weeds from invading the bed before planting time step 4 spread a 1-inch thick layer of fully composted Horseman your over the soil halfway through the growing season for annual plants or in spring for perennial plants leave a two inch space between the composted men urine the basis of the plants this mid season top dressing of compost provides additional nutrients to the plants you