COMPOSTED manure is great for raised beds or in-ground planted tomatoes, not for containers though.

I agree with Buzz but would add that poultry manure has been cited as being somewhat problematic. Excess N and possibly disease.

I've never had the opportunity to use it so I can't say for sure.

Composted horse or cow though, is wonderful stuff.

Horse or cow manure are great. Also goat and rabbit. Chicken needs to be used on corn or really applied lightly. I know some who grow many plants in containers and use manure in them also with great success. I'm trying a few for the first time this year and have added some and so far working great. It is what works for you. And it takes a few experiments to find what that is. JMO. JD

I use chicken poo. Even though it comes composted with wood chips I like to till it in my soil as early as possible. I agree with dave as nitrogen can be a problem if you dont give it enough time. I let it sit in the bed for at least 2 months. I've never had any problems with disease. I surely wouldn't throw composted chicken poo into a planting hole or a soon to be used bed. As for horse or cow poo I couldn't say, never used it.

They may have been talking about 2 different things. ;)

One lady said "Cause toms can't and won't tolerate any manure!" Well if she is referring to fresh un-composted manure she is correct - it is too high in nitrogen so you get all plant and no fruit. But as the others have said, well composted manure (the only kind that should be used in the garden) is fine.

The second lady told you about a good soil mix that uses chicken manure in it - fine - many of the organic mixes do contain well-composted chicken manure so no problem there either.

The crucial point is the difference between fresh un-composted manure and well-composted manures.

Unfortunately neither is going to help you with thrips or help a plant infested with thrips - if that is the problem.

So what are the symptoms displayed by the sickly plant? ;)

Dave

So what are the symptoms displayed by the sickly plant? ;)

*****

That's my question as well since no one has seen your plant and you were told Spotted Wilt disease just by a phone chat.

Would you please describe the symptoms to us and better still would be a picture of the foliage if you can do that.

Have you Googled pictures of Spotted Wilt and compared them with what you see?

There are thrips and then there are thrips and not all can transmit Spotted Wilt.

Carolyn

Nah, I don't put manure on my tomatoes when I eat them.
Sorry, couldn't resist that set-up.
Yes, in my raised beds, when I plant, I put a scoop of aged, dry, screened horsie manure in the bottom of the planting hole, then add a bit of soil over that, and then in goes the tom plant.
Extra points to you for using "shenanigans" in your question.

I always use composted manure on my tomato beds. I mix a lot into the soil before planting, and then I side-dress with more later on. I buy 40lb bads of the stuff from the store for a bit over $1 a bag. I'm also watering with home-made worm compost tea (basically worm manure water) every few weeks. The plants seem to really like both.

However, from everything I've heard I'd be careful with green or uncomposted manure. I'd compost it for a while to give it time to cook and kill the harmful microbes before using it in the garden. Or add it to the soil in the autumn for next year's season.

Mike

I use a mix of aged and fresh manure straight out of the corral and have for the past 40 years and have never had trouble. As long as you don't over fertilize you shouldn't have any trouble. I try to apply most of it at least a few month before planting then put a small amount in each hole when I transplant. My plants are a nice dark green. JD

Immature compost is generally not a good soil amendment from the research I have done.The microorganisms that break it down compete with the plants for nitrogen if its near the roots. After its finished it slowly releases nitrogen. As a mulch its no issue.
One little trick one may use with compost is to put it in a glass jar and close it. This will create an anaerobic environment. If within a few days or a week it has a sour smell then it means anaerobic microorganisms still found compost to break down and is still immature. I have a maturing pile myself where I will be using this method rather soon.

You are all wonderful! Thanks so much for the wealth of information and advice.

Interestingly enough, I really think the ol' Sweet 100 is doing better. Close as I came to yanking it, I decided in the end to give it more time. And there is new, healthy green growth at the top. Even the leaves that were in question have somewhat better color now. I gave it a bit of fertilizer, have continued watering, sprayed on some Safer insecticidal soap, and added a dash of wait-and-see... and the silly plant may very well make it. I'll still try to get a photo or two to post later on, though. I appreciate your expert opinions very much!

I also put out some Tanglefoot sticky traps earlier this morning, and I am catching some tiny bugs from around the toms. So I'll repeat the soap spray soon and keep watch.

And... because I am an insane veg-gardening newbie, I planted two MORE tomato plants this morning; this time in nice, big pots. My 3 little Super Bush seedlings are still so danged small, and with the fate of the Sweet 100 cherry in question, and the other plant, a Big Boy (ironically enough) still being quite small (just planted it a couple of weeks or so ago), I stupidly decided that I should probably plant yet MORE tomato plants just to make sure I get some danged toms to eat purdy soon! Yes, I am out of my mind, thank you. So, into a pot went an Oregon Spring, and another pot hosts a Matt's Wild Cherry. I planted them both in a mix of all the Miracle Grow potting mix I had left plus a helping of the uber-awesome chicken-poo soil that yes, I did go and buy (yeah, I know. But as I said, I'm insane).

So, one of two things is going to happen: I will end up with 7 pathetic excuses for tomato plants that will all die on me, or (B) I will end up with 400 lb. of assorted tomatoes, all ripe at the same stupid time, and I will be trying to hand them out at the street corner to get rid of them all.

The tomato experiment has commenced! Sigh. :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: My new blog! Simplifying in Suburbia

Is it possible it was because of aminopyralid residues?

I used horse manure one year and my 2 tomato plants covered 8 ft square and i had so may tomatoes neighbors were helping themselves

I use a combo of Gardentone fert, wood ashes, and homemade compost blended into the soil 2-3 weeks prior to planting. Here's my best pick so far, Mortage Lifter variety...