Black Kow is the good stuff. Whatever you do, do not buy the " el cheapo " compost/manure like I once did,...too many bad ingredients, ( ie sawdust ) that will have negative results in the long run. Good luck.

If you ever get compost that is stinky, then it isn't compost, it is just manure. In most cases, one should never apply straight, fresh manure to a site, it should always be allowed to compost down so it won't be too strong in whatever it is bringing to the soil. This is especially true of manures like horse manure which are high in nitrogen and can burn your plants. Every bag of Black Kow I have ever gotten has been well composted and while I won't say it is odorless, it definitely doesn't smell like it just came from the cow. It smells... like how you would expect good soil to smell.

In the spring I spread a layer of Black Kow around my plants before replenishing the wood chips. No need to mix it in, the heavy rains do a good job of that.

A 1/2 to 1 inch layer is the rule of thumb - no need to mix in either.

Another concern: after a few years the flower bed will be much higher and need another course of concrete block. :)

Ohh good!

At work they planted some new plants in the old beds and once they were done and the place was mulched it smelled like the county fair ... I figured it was something like the black kow I had seen at the stores, I almost did not buy any, but since we are going into winter I figured even if it did smell the smell would be gone by spring! It lasted at work for a good week.

It is great to know that others like the black kow!

I have seen situations where people have used sheep or chicken manures raw, I imagine these can get a bit smelly when they get wet, but most home gardeners use composted manures. Last year I tried an organic fertilizer that would smell a bit like a horse paddock after spreading it. Even though my wife loves horses, she hated the smell if there wasn't a horse nearby, so I quickly learned to apply it after she had left for work/school, apply it around the plants that needed it (mostly my bananas) and then cover with mulch. Even still, she would get home and comment on the odor. Luckily it would dissipate within 24 hrs and did not recur with the next rain. I don't remember which fertilizer it was. I want to say it was from Espoma, but I wouldn't swear by it.

Hi

I've used Black kow in potting mixes for a long time usually mixed with other ingredients ,depending on the plant. Good stuff IMO lol.To me it smells "earthy" like rich soil?? Though I have a very large nose it's not particularly sensitive . ?? gary

Not smelly at all! Very happy.

Black Kow makes great mud pies!!

I usually get a load of tree trimmings in April and May for mulching my beds. I think this year I am going to put down a thin layer of Black Kow before I spread the mulch. Not over the entirety of my beds, but around the plants that could really benefit from the extra nutrients and organic matter.

My plants are about a foot tall. Can I add Kow manure now? They are not growing or leaves are light yellow. They get enough sunlight but not sure why they are not looking healthy so thought of adding black kow manure.