Urban Uses for Dairy Manure Compost

OBJECTIVE:  Evaluate the use of composted dairy manure in establishing urban turf and ornamental landscapes.

OVERVIEW:  Composted dairy manure was transported to the Dallas Center from a composting facility in Erath County, Texas.  The dairy manure compost was applied to large landscape plots on a former agricultural field.  Applicaton rates were 0, 40, 80, and 120 ton/acre. This is equvalent to approximately 0, 1/2, 1, and 2 inches.  Individual plots measured 20 x 20 feet.  Half of each plot was planted with bermuda sod and the other half was planted with 6 ornamental plants. Composted dairy manure was planted in the spring of 2003.  Annual ornamental plants were replanted in spring 2004 and 2005, but no additional compost was added. 

Large landscapes plots (20x20 ft) were established in a former agricultural field.  Most new residential areas are developed on former agricultural fields such as this one.

Completed landscapes in September 2003 near the end of the first growing season..

The following series of pictures shows how the landscape plots looked at the end of each growing season.

Comparison of Bermuda grass quality three years after application of 0 and 27 kg/m2 dairy manure compost (0 and 120 tons/A).  The left half of each plot was supplemented with a total of 15 g/m2 N during the second growing season.