Which plants do not like horse manure?

Certain plants do not fare well with fresh horse manure. These include:

• Acid-loving plants: The alkalinity in fresh manure can harm blueberries, rhododendrons, and azaleas, which prefer acidic soil.
• Drought-tolerant plants: They thrive in leaner soils and can be overwhelmed by the rich nutrients in manure.
• Root vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, and potatoes may develop excessive leafy growth or suffer root burn.
• Fruiting plants: Tomatoes and peppers may produce lush foliage at the expense of fruit development when exposed to fresh manure.
• Sensitive ornamentals: Lavender, poppies, and bulbs like tulips prefer poorer soils and can struggle with manure’s high nitrogen, salt content, or alkalinity.

Tip: Always use well-composted manure. Fresh manure can burn roots, inhibit growth, or introduce contaminants such as persistent herbicides.