If you had asked me a year ago if I would be excited to play in poop, I am reasonably sure I would have said absolutely not. But here I am, super excited that Harry has built a “paca poop dehydrator” for me. Alpaca manure is one of the best soil conditioner and enhancers available and can help your garden flourish even if the soil is not the best.
Alpaca manure is lower in organic matter content than manures of most other barnyard livestock (like cows, horses and sheep)--but it still has plenty to improve soil texture and water-holding capacity. This lower organic content allows llama manure to be spread directly onto plants without fear of 'burning' them. It is the decomposition of organic matter which produces the heat that can damage plant roots.
Alpaca Poo is often referred to as “beans” because it actually looks like little brown beans. Some even refer to it as “magic beans” because it is such a fantastic plant food and soil conditioner. Commercial fertilizers are labeled for their N-P-K content. These letters stand for: Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. Alpaca Poo naturally has all three of these primary nutrients, (1.5, 0.2,1.1) but in smaller percentages than commercial fertilizers. This is good not only for plants, but for the earth. High nitrogen levels can cause chemical burns to the root system of plants. This burn is often referred to as “heat.” This heat can damage or kill the plants in your garden and landscape. Therefore, you can safely apply large portions of Alpaca Poo to your plants without damaging your plants. (For Alpaca Poo to create a damaging “heat,” you would need to make a bed of Alpaca Poo 8 to 10 inches thick.) Alpaca Poo also contains secondary nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and sulfur that supplement a plant’s feeding needs.
Mixing Alpaca Poo with clay soil will loosen the ground and make it more porous. If your soil is too sandy, Alpaca Poo will help the ground bind together and retain moisture.
Most of us are aware of the outbreaks of E. coli 157. E. coli 157 is a serious form of E. coli that can infect humans and even kill them. Interestingly, alpacas are not known to carry E. coli 157. However, there are plenty of other germs that inhabit livestock manures and alpacas are no exception. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of how Alpaca Poo should be handled; including other fertilizers. Whether you are using a commercial fertilizer or Alpaca Poo, make sure to wear gloves when handling and to wash your hands thoroughly after use.
The risk of illness is moderately high in root crops such as carrots and leafy vegetables like lettuce. This is because the edible part of the plant directly touches the soil where the Alpaca Poo has been applied. To reduce the risk of germs, apply Alpaca Poo in the Fall (after the growing season) or early Winter so that there is at least four months from application to harvest. Never add Alpaca Poo to a root garden once it is planted. And always and immediately after you pick from the garden wash the food and peel a layer away, if possible, to remove any harmful germs.
For flowers or plants in a container pot. Either add the Poo directly by sprinkling on top (using our “Alpaca Magic Dust” or make an “Paca Poo Tea.” If you’re planting, mix the Poo (“Alpaca Gold”) with some soil in the hole you have dug, plant your flower/shrub/tree and then thoroughly water with regular water or Paca Poo Tea when done. For existing plants, make a ring of Alpaca Poo around the base of the flower/shrub/tree. Then cover this ring of Poo with a layer of dirt or mulch. The rain/watering will slowly dissolve the Alpaca Poo and will continue to fertilize over the next several months. Alpaca Poo is a fresh product and should be used shortly after purchase. Store Alpaca Poo in a cool dry place.
Using Alpaca Poo allows you to garden Naturally and Safely! You can purchase Paca Poo Tea, Alpaca Gold, and Alpaca Magic Dust right from our website or visit us at a local fair or Trades Day (Once these open back up…) If you are a larger operation, please contact us directly for a bulk discount. An instruction sheet will be sent with all orders.
Let us know if you have any questions on how Alpaca poop can benefit you!
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