Does any one have any experience using rabbit manure in their Iris beds. I have used it on my berry plants for years but never tried it on my iris. Looking to see if anyone has experience with it.

Thanks!

nope

Any manure will work as long as it's been composed and the temperature got hot enough. I use mostly horse manure because that's what I have, but I let it decompose for 3 or 4 years. I surely wouldn't put fresh manure on them. I just till a bit into the soil as I prepare a bed.

Goat manure can go on right away - no need to compost.

Years ago, I threw scattered rabbit poo around the vegetable garden and it was fine, but it was not all piled in one place.

If it were a pile of rabbit poo, I would toss it in with the vegetable compost.

I don't think rabbit manure needs to be composted. You can use it straight.

Yup. It is considered a cold manure. You can use it without composting. Plenty of info on the net. Here is one article: http://www.vegetablegardener.c...

Yes rabbit manure is considered a cold manure you just sprinkle them around. It won't burn plants, you just use it as is. No compost or decomposition required. I already use it on other things in the garden it's great for attracting and growing worms. I was asking more for the purpose of the nitrogen content of it. It's higher in nitrogen then all other manures. That's why I was wondering if anyone had experience with already using it in their iris beds. To much nitrogen can cause the iris not to bloom or also speeds rot.

Well let me tell you about an experience I had with fresh rabbit manure. Two winters ago, the iris bed next to my house was a gathering place for rabbits to get shelter. They left their calling card in many places there. That next spring I had the worst case of rot I ever had only in that bed. No other beds were affected. It wasn't about burning, it was about the undesirable bacteria. Since then I fence that off during the winter to keep them out, and I haven't had a problem since in that bed. It might be fine for other crops, but I wouldn't use it fresh on my irises. IMHO

that could have been urine, not the manure. Urine is very acidic and will ruin plants if it is on directly or often.

NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF COMMON MATERIALS

Material Nitrogen % Phosphorus % Potassium % Comments
Chicken Manure (fresh) 1.6 -1.5 -0.9 Compost, or delay planting at least 3 wks.
Cow Manure (fresh) 0.3- 0.2 -0.1 Compost, or delay planting at least 3 wks.
Horse Manure (fresh) 0.7 -0.3 -0.6 Compost, or delay planting at least 3 wks.
Pig Manure (fresh) 0.5- 0.3- 0.5 Compost, or delay planting at least 3 wks.
Rabbit Manure (fresh) 2.4 -1.4 -0.6 Compost, or delay planting at least 3 wks.
Sheep Manure (fresh) 0.7- 0.3 -0.9 Compost, or delay planting at least 3 wks.
Worm Castings 0.5 -0.5 -0.3 High in organic matter. Already Composted
I found this online, and thought it might be helpful

I would not have thought rabbit manure would be highest in nitrogen, very interesting!

I would assume that the 'critters" diet would affect ALL these #'s, to some extent. And, the 'amount used" would make a huge difference in the effect on plants, as well......5# of fresh hog poo, spread and mixed evenly over a 100 sq, ft. area might be alright...but spread around one small clump..............not so much !