Q: YAY!!! I have been given a garbage can full of one year old horse manure. Even though I know it’s aged, should I wait until we get some rain to spread it? Will it burn my plants if I apply it now in our drought?

A: If the manure is aged it won’t burn plants as long the layer is less than an inch deep. Keep it three inches away from the stem so moisture isn’t held there and your plants will be as excited as you!

ADDITIONAL NOTE:  Make absolutely sure the horse manure comes from a farm where herbicides are not used on the pasture. Weedkillers, particularly Grazon, can linger in manure and harm garden vegetables.