Is Cow Manure Good For Blueberries?

With low nutritional requirements, blueberries are actually an excellent plant to consider growing in your home garden, and if you’re doing that already, you’re probably wondering- is cow manure good for blueberries? 

Well, here’s helping you understand just that and more. Read on…

What Kind of Manure is Good For Blueberries?

Sheep and cow manure can be great for blueberries for many reasons. They provide a lot of organic matter to the soil and turn it into a nice soil conditioner. 

Both these manures are slow release fertilizers, and are chock full of phosphorus, which is another essential nutrient needed by your blueberry bushes. 

That’s not all- their high sulfur content helps maintain the acidity of the soil, which is exactly what your blueberries need.  

Is Cow Manure Good For Blueberries?

Cow manure is exceptionally helpful for blueberries. Not only is it nutrient rich, but it is also quite affordable. 

The high phosphorus content is another win, and can help the plant bloom faster. 

Plus, cow manure also lends moisture to the soil, in addition to the organic matter. This organic matter, in turn, holds on to moisture better. 

How to Apply Cow Manure 

To apply cow manure to the soil, you can mix it with soil in 1:3 proportion. Then, all you need to do is top dress it once a year, and you’re sorted. 

Remember that cow manure should be applied at least 3 inches away from the stem of the plant to protect it from any possible injury. 

Don’t forget to mix it with the top layer of soil well for it to get absorbed well, and top it with a little water as well. 

How Often Should I Apply Cow Manure?

Cow manure can be applied once a year in your blueberry bed. If you’re starting off from a new plant, you’ll need to apply the manure twice a year, sometimes more until the plant is 2-3 years old.

This is because the young plant needs a lot of extra energy and nutrition during these initial years to grow to its fullest. 

When Should I Use Cow Manure for Blueberry Bushes?

It is always best to apply the cow manure to your blueberry plant after the plant has been pruned and the bush has bloomed. This will help its root system grow stronger. 

It is important to note that just like using any other manure as a fertilizer, you’ll need to let the cow manure age first. 

Allowing the manure to compost will ensure that any weeds that may have passed through the animal’s system are fully broken down during the process of composting, and that you’re not unknowingly introducing any new weeds near your blueberry bushes. 

In addition, fresh manure tends to have high nitrogen content, which can do more damage than good to the plant, regardless of whether or not it is a blueberry plant. 

What Other Fertilizers Can I Use?

In addition to cow manure, there are a few other good fertilizers you can use for your blueberry plant. 

• Liquid fertilizers like a mixture of kelp and water, and liquid fish emulsion are great to be used occasionally for younger blueberry plants. 
• You can also opt for organic fertilizers like fish meal, blood meal and soybean meal, which have good nitrogen levels. 
• To give your blueberries more potassium and phosphorus, use bone meal and/or powdered seaweed. 
• To improve the soil’s acidity, you can also consider mulching the soil with pine needles, wood chips and/or sawdust. 

Recommended Read: Best Mulch For Blueberries + Tips & Tricks