How to Make Liquid Fertilizer from Horse Manure
The quest for the perfect, sustainable plant food often leads us down aisles of brightly colored bottles. But what if the most potent, cost-effective, and eco-friendly fertilizer is waiting in a pile right at your local stable? Learning how to make liquid fertilizer from horse manure is like unlocking a secret recipe for garden vitality. This process, often called brewing “manure tea,” transforms raw waste into a nutrient-rich, readily available liquid that your plants can drink up immediately. It’s a cornerstone of closed-loop gardening, turning a potential waste problem into a powerful solution.
This comprehensive guide won’t just give you a recipe; it will dive deep into the science, the art, and the advanced techniques of creating and using this black gold. We’ll also explore how leveraging professional expertise, like the proven services from LANE, can streamline this process for unparalleled results.
Before getting started, let’s first understand why this is worth doing. Unprocessed horse manure may be “overheated” (with high ammonia content) and may contain weed seeds or pathogens, which can cause damage to plants. Converting horse manure into liquid fertilizer can solve these problems and significantly enhance its efficacy.
Quick nutrient delivery: Liquid fertilizers take effect rapidly. The nutrients are already suspended in the water, and plants can immediately absorb them through their roots and leaves (foliar fertilization).
Improving soil biology: This is not just about nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). The carefully prepared liquid fertilizer is rich in various beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms can break down organic matter in the soil, improve soil structure, and help plants resist diseases.
Reduce waste, achieve sustainable development: You are part of a wonderful cycle. Instead of allowing feces to pile up like mountains, you have created a valuable resource, thereby reducing the reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
If you’re working on a small farm or in a garden, here’s a simple way to make liquid fertilizer from horse manure.
Step 1: Collect and Prepare the Material
Collect fresh horse manure and remove large impurities like stones or straw. Mix it with an equal amount of water in a large plastic or metal container.
Step 2: Fermentation
Cover the container loosely and allow the mixture to ferment naturally.
Stir every 1–2 days to supply oxygen — this helps beneficial microbes break down organic matter.
Within 10–14 days, you’ll notice the liquid turning dark brown with a mild earthy smell — a sign that fermentation is complete.
Step 3: Filtration
Use a fine mesh or cloth to filter out solids. The remaining liquid is your homemade horse manure fertilizer.
Step 4: Dilution and Application
Before applying, dilute the liquid 1:10 with water to prevent over-fertilization.
It can be sprayed on leaves (foliar application) or poured around plant roots.
While small-scale methods are great for gardens, farms and fertilizer companies require consistent, large-scale production.
LANE Heavy Industry provides a complete horse manure liquid fertilizer production line, combining automation, precision, and hygiene.
Below is the typical process flow:
1.Raw Material Pretreatment
Horse manure is collected and passed through a manure crusher or vertical shaft crusher to break down clumps.
Impurities are removed using a vibrating screen, and moisture is adjusted to about 60%.
2.Fermentation or Enzymatic Hydrolysis
The material enters a fermentation tank or enzymatic hydrolysis reactor.
Under controlled temperature (45–55°C), microorganisms or enzymes break down organic matter into amino acids and soluble nutrients.
LANE’s tanks are equipped with:
Automatic temperature and pH control
Agitators for uniform fermentation
Exhaust and deodorization systems
This step converts horse manure into a nutrient-rich slurry suitable for liquid fertilizer production.
3.Solid-Liquid Separation
The fermented slurry is processed through a screw press separator or decanter centrifuge, separating the liquid fraction from the solid residue.
The solid portion can be composted into solid organic fertilizer, while the liquid portion moves on for refinement.
4.Filtration and Purification
The liquid passes through a dual filtration system consisting of:
Coarse mesh filter
Fine cartridge filter
Optional activated carbon filter (odor removal)
This ensures a clean, particle-free liquid fertilizer.
5.Homogenization
To maintain consistency and prevent sedimentation, the liquid is mixed using an inline homogenizer or liquid fertilizer mixing tank.
This is crucial for stable storage and uniform application through irrigation systems.
6.Nutrient Enrichment and Blending
Additional nutrients such as humic acid, seaweed extract, or trace elements can be added in a blending tank to enhance fertilizer efficiency for specific crops.
7.Storage and Packaging
Finally, the liquid fertilizer is pumped into storage tanks and filled into containers using an automatic liquid filling machine.
LANE’s systems support flexible packaging options — from 1L bottles to 1-ton IBC tanks.
Your potent liquid fertilizer from horse manure is not used at full strength. It’s a concentrate that must be diluted to avoid burning your plants.
The Golden Ratio: A standard dilution is 1 part manure tea to 10 parts water. For a gentler feed, especially for seedlings, you can go to a 1:15 or 1:20 ratio.
Application Methods:
Soil Drench: Apply the diluted tea directly to the soil around the base of your plants. This is the primary method for root feeding.
Foliar Spray: Using a sprayer, mist the leaves of your plants. They can absorb nutrients directly through their foliage. Ensure the tea is well-strained to avoid clogging your sprayer. Apply in the early morning or late evening to prevent leaf burn.
Feeding Schedule: During the peak growing season, apply every 2-4 weeks. Observe your plants; they will tell you if they need more or less.
Learning how to make liquid fertilizer from horse manure is not only about waste recycling, but also about the innovation of our way of growing food.
Whether using small barrel fermentation or fully automated production lines, as long as the process is proper, farmers can produce efficient and environmentally friendly sources of nutrition while protecting the environment.
LANE Heavy Industry continues to innovate in this field, providing reliable and customizable equipment for all aspects of fertilizer production, from composting to the formulation of liquid fertilizers.
For more details, please feel free to contact us.
Henan Lane Heavy Industry Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.
Email: sales@lanesvc.com
Contact number: +86 13526470520
Whatsapp: +86 13526470520
Leave a Comment
Latest Posts
LANE has more than 500 successful cases and is committed to providing customers with first-class solutions, high-end machinery and equipment, and one-stop pre-sales, sales and after-sales comprehensive customer service.