Question
I almost hate to ask this question,but here goes.

My husband has been throwing dog "manure" on the new garden all winter. From two very lage dogs, I must add.
Is is a good idea?

Thanks for any help,
Roberta

Answer
If you use feces from gracing animals (cow, sheep, horse, lama) it can be used as excellent fertilizer especially if composted first.

However, feces from humans or pets are not recommended. The diet of pets contain organisms that cause human health problems. Round worm is one particular nasty problem which can live in soil for years and can transfer to humans with serious health problems to follow.

I have an article for you:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h238manure-dog-cat....

(you may have to copy/paste the entire link to your brower's address or location bar (on top) as one line (no breaks).

When it comes to fertilizer value, the dog feces are not even that great and can actually end up doing more harm than good.

Provided it is just the feces, the ratio will be approximately N-P-K 1.4-0.25-0.01 which corresponds to a synthetic fertilizer blend of 6-1-0. Such a high level of nitrogen (first number) compared to so relatively low numbers of phosphorous and potassium (2nd and 3rd numbers) are not suited for most flowers, trees, and vegetables. In fact, grass is probably the only home garden setting which could benefit from same.

To be adequate to act as the sole fertilizer source for a lawn, you would need to use 20 lbs of feces per 1000 sq feet and that still does not address the lack of phosphorous and potassium which then also would have to be added. Today, buying a pre-mixed lawn fertilizer will already have nitrogen blended in and it is actually more expensive to buy phosphorous/potassium seperately. And it does not take into consideration that dog feces should not be used due to human health issues at all.

In conclusions: it is not a good idea to use dog feces for lawn or gardens. I recommend that you collect dog feces and dispose of them instead.

The feces can lead to health issues in humans, and they are really not very suitable as fertilizer in the first place.

Feces from gracing animals (cows, horses, sheep, and lama) or even birds (duck, geece, chicken) are suitable but should ideally be composted first.

Animals who rely wholy or partially on a meat diet (including domestic pets) and feces from humans should never be used in a garden setting.

-- Kenneth