Chicken manure for fertilizing cucumbers: application technology

Organic gardeners often ask how to feed cucumbers with chicken manure in their garden. Concerns arise from its uric acid content, which negatively impacts the roots. Another problem is its high content of easily digestible nitrogen. Even in small quantities, manure accelerates the growth of green mass, slowing down the development of fruits.

About the advantages and disadvantages

Chicken manure, unlike cow manure, is rich in a number of substances that accelerate vegetable development. Botanists have concluded that this bird waste product can rightfully be classified as a complete fertilizer. During the first year of seedling development, the manure enriches the soil with minerals. Positive changes are noticeable in several ways:

• improving soil structure;
• dissolves quickly in wet soil;
• activation of intensive growth;
• increasing crop yields.

Before fertilizing newly planted cucumbers with chicken manure, it's worth considering the downside. The first downside is the significant acid concentration. The second drawback is the presence of weed seeds. If the manure is collected outdoors, it may be contaminated with pathogens.

Prepare the solution yourself

Chicken manure can be purchased or made at home. The latter option has become very popular. The gardener is confident in the absence of ready-made solution impurities.

Granular manure is sold in gardening supply stores. Like natural manure, it contains potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and more. The only caveat is that granular manure is too concentrated. It is diluted with a significant amount of water. Gardeners prefer the granular variety over the traditional type due to its advantages. The nutrients are heat-treated. You can safely feed seedlings without worrying about pathogens. Another advantage is the absence of an unpleasant odor.

Greenhouse application rules

Granular manure is pre-diluted with 50 parts water to 1 part fertilizer. To add nutrients to mature vegetables, the solution is diluted further. Only 1 part granules are needed for 100 parts water. This should be done without error. An overly concentrated solution will cause seedling burn. This method is suitable for both open ground and greenhouse applications.

Fertilizing cucumbers with manure in a greenhouse requires a different method. The first application is made at the planting stage. The working solution is poured directly into the holes, and then the seedlings are rooted. Finish planting by watering with clean water.

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Next steps:

1. During the growing season, watering with clean water is mandatory before applying nutrients. This is necessary to reduce the saturation of the working solution. At least three liters of clean water are poured under each bush.
2. Once rooting has occurred, nutrients are applied as soon as buds begin to form. The solution is poured directly between the rows, not under the roots. The next application of nutrients is made when fruit begins to develop.

Don't apply manure too frequently. This applies more to self-pollinating cucumber varieties.

Application in open ground

Fertilize seedlings with manure 14 days after the first application of mineral or organic fertilizer. If this timeframe is met, the risk of barren flowers is reduced. In areas with insufficiently fertile soil, prepare the soil. In the fall, add dry manure to the soil.

Buried manure initiates a physical and chemical reaction in the soil. In the spring, when it's time to plant seedlings, the soil will become more fertile. The recommended dosage is 550-600 g of the substance per 1 m². The manure is scattered over the entire area of ​​the beds. The second step is to distribute it evenly with a rake.

Recommendations for beginners

The first rule is - fertilizing cucumbers Using fresh or granulated chicken manure is prohibited. The slightest contact with the seedling surface will destroy the cells. A diluted solution is permitted. The second rule is to make the mixture less caustic before applying. To do this, place the diluted mixture in an open container in the fresh air. After 3-4 hours, uric acid levels will decrease. Other recommendations:

• If it happens that during watering some of the fertilizer ends up on the leaves or stem, it is immediately washed off with a large volume of clean water;
• The application of manure in dry and liquid form is carried out only with gloves, a protective mask and a special suit;
• After completing the treatment, the gloves are destroyed, otherwise there is a high risk of introducing pathogens when re-applying fertilizer.

Watering is done in the morning or evening. Heat negatively impacts the nutrient concentration in the manure.

Reviews

Igor

I use the granular form in my garden. It's pre-treated. Plants fed with it won't have any health problems. I always dilute it 20:2. I add more water to dilute the solution.

Diana

The natural option is the most effective. I prepare the infusion like this: I use up to 5 kg per square meter. I water strictly between the rows. The result: cucumbers grow practically without barren flowers in fertilized soil.

Tamara

I don't dare fertilize my cucumbers in sandy soil. The nutrients just disappear into the soil. A waste of time.

The controlled application of manure in the garden leads to active fruit development. The gardener's task is to dilute the product to reduce the solution's saturation several times. After a few days, the seedlings can be safely watered. The nutrient application schedule depends on the cucumber variety and their stage of development.