Expert: Greg - 11/3/2006

Question
Greg, In June '06 my neighbor gave me manure (I believe it was from a horse) in a black trash bag.  I let it sit in the bag for about 3-4 months.  In October '06 I incorporated it into the soil in my strawberry patch.  Then it hit me - what about E. coli, etc.?  Will it be safe by next spring for me to eat the strawberries?  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hello Lisa

E-Coli and other damaging Diseases of these types are Transmitted through the Feces of Carnivores.

When you hear about "Mad Cow" and things of this nature, what has happened is Tainted Dropping has made it into the feed of Grazing Animals. When you Compost droppings what happens is that the Temperatures in an active Compost pile can reach up to 150 degrees, and kills all Pathogens, this is why you should always Compost Droppings before you use them. When you buy Commercial Manures it should say on the Package "Pasteurized". This means that the Seller has heated the product before it was packaged.

Now to answer your question, can you be assured from your neighbor that the Manure was from a Horse? If so you should be safe. If you have any doubts whatsoever, let the Soil go through 1 Year of "Fallow" meaning don't grow anything in the Patch that you would consume. You could grow Flowers, or add a Green Manure crop.

All in All I think you should be safe, but this should seal it.

The best of Luck
  Greg