Question 1

What exactly does ManureStartup do?

Accepted Answer

ManureStartup provides a dual service: we remove horse manure from farms and ranches across South Florida completely free of charge, and we sell premium composted horse manure fertilizer to gardeners, landscapers, and homeowners for just $5 per 40-50lb bag. We're based in Davie, FL and serve all of South Florida including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Boca Raton, and surrounding cities.

Question 2

Why is manure removal free for farms?

Accepted Answer

We remove horse manure at no cost because it's a win-win arrangement. Farm and ranch owners get their property cleaned up without paying expensive waste removal fees, and we get the raw material we need to produce our premium composted fertilizer. Horse manure disposal can cost farms hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month — we eliminate that expense entirely.

Question 3

How often do you pick up manure from farms?

Accepted Answer

We offer flexible pickup schedules based on your farm's needs. Most of our partner farms receive weekly or bi-weekly pickups, but we can arrange daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly service depending on the number of horses and volume of manure produced. Contact us to set up a schedule that works for your operation.

Question 4

What areas do you serve in South Florida?

Accepted Answer

We serve all of South Florida with our headquarters in Davie, FL. Our service area includes Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Coral Springs, Weston, Miramar, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Sunrise, Deerfield Beach, Homestead, Wellington, and all surrounding communities in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.

Question 5

How much does a bag of horse manure fertilizer cost?

Accepted Answer

Each bag of our premium composted horse manure fertilizer costs just $5 for a 40-50lb bag. That's a fraction of what you'd pay for comparable organic fertilizers at garden centers, which typically run $8-15 for smaller bags. We keep our prices low because we source our material directly from local farms at no cost.

Question 6

How do I purchase bags of manure?

Accepted Answer

You can purchase bags by visiting our location in Davie, FL during business hours (Mon-Sat, 7AM-6PM). Simply fill out our customer contact form on this website or call us to let us know how many bags you need, and we'll have them ready for pickup. We recommend calling ahead for large orders (10+ bags) to ensure availability.

Question 7

Is the manure composted and safe to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. All of our horse manure goes through a thorough composting process before being bagged and sold. Proper composting eliminates harmful pathogens, weed seeds, and parasites while breaking down the material into a rich, dark, earthy-smelling fertilizer. Our composted manure is safe to handle and use around pets, children, and edible plants.

Question 8

How much manure do I need for my garden?

Accepted Answer

As a general rule, apply 1-2 inches of composted horse manure over your garden beds and work it into the top 6 inches of soil. For a standard 4x8 raised bed, 2-3 bags should be sufficient. For larger areas, figure about 1 bag per 20 square feet. Our AI Soil Advisor tool can give you personalized recommendations based on your specific garden size and soil conditions.

Question 9

Do you offer delivery?

Accepted Answer

Currently, we operate on a customer pickup model from our Davie, FL location. This allows us to keep our prices at an unbeatable $5 per bag. For large commercial orders (50+ bags), please contact us to discuss delivery options. We're always looking to expand our services based on customer demand.

Question 10

What nutrients does horse manure contain?

Accepted Answer

Horse manure is rich in the three primary macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Typical NPK values for composted horse manure are approximately 0.7-1.5% nitrogen, 0.3-0.6% phosphorus, and 0.5-0.8% potassium. It also contains essential micronutrients including calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper — all in forms that plants can readily absorb.

Question 11

Is horse manure better than cow manure or chicken manure?

Accepted Answer

Each type of manure has its strengths. Horse manure is often considered the best all-purpose garden amendment because it has a balanced nutrient profile, excellent soil-conditioning properties, and a lower risk of burning plants compared to chicken manure (which is very high in nitrogen). Horse manure also contains more fiber than cow manure, which improves soil structure more effectively. For South Florida's sandy soils, horse manure is an ideal choice.

Question 12

Can I use horse manure on my vegetable garden?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Composted horse manure is excellent for vegetable gardens. It provides the nutrients vegetables need while improving the soil structure that South Florida's sandy ground often lacks. Just make sure the manure is fully composted (like ours) before applying it to edible crops. Apply it 2-4 weeks before planting for best results, or use it as a side dressing during the growing season.

Question 13

How does horse manure help South Florida's sandy soil?

Accepted Answer

South Florida's soil is notoriously sandy and nutrient-poor. Horse manure addresses this in several ways: it adds organic matter that acts like a sponge to retain moisture, it introduces beneficial microorganisms that build soil health over time, it provides slow-release nutrients that sandy soil can't hold on its own, and it improves the soil's cation exchange capacity (CEC), meaning the soil can better hold and release nutrients to plant roots.

Question 14

How do I sign up for free manure removal?

Accepted Answer

Simply fill out our Farm/Ranch Supplier form on this website or call us directly. We'll schedule an initial visit to assess your property, discuss pickup frequency, and set up a regular removal schedule. There's no contract, no commitment, and absolutely no cost to you — ever.

Question 15

Do I need to prepare the manure for pickup?

Accepted Answer

We prefer that the manure be collected in a designated area on your property for easy access, but we're flexible. If you have a manure pile, compost area, or designated dump spot, that works great. We bring our own equipment and handle all the loading. All we need is reasonable vehicle access to the collection point.

Question 16

How many horses do I need to qualify?

Accepted Answer

There's no minimum! Whether you have 1 horse or 100, we're happy to set up a removal schedule. Smaller operations might receive bi-weekly or monthly pickups, while larger farms may benefit from weekly or even more frequent service. We tailor our schedule to your needs.

Question 17

Is there a contract or long-term commitment?

Accepted Answer

No contracts and no long-term commitments. Our service is completely free and flexible. You can pause, adjust the schedule, or cancel at any time with no penalties. We believe in earning your continued partnership through reliable, hassle-free service.

Question 18

How long does horse manure need to compost?

Accepted Answer

Fresh horse manure should be composted for 3-6 months before use in gardens. During composting, the internal temperature of the pile reaches 130-160°F, which kills weed seeds, pathogens, and parasites. Our manure is professionally composted and ready to use immediately — you don't have to wait.

Question 19

When is the best time to apply horse manure in South Florida?

Accepted Answer

In South Florida's year-round growing climate, you can apply composted horse manure at any time. However, the best times are: early fall (September-October) to prepare beds for the cool-season growing season, and late winter (February-March) before the spring planting season. Avoid applying fresh (uncomposted) manure within 120 days of harvesting edible crops.

Question 20

Can I use horse manure as mulch?

Accepted Answer

Composted horse manure makes an excellent mulch! Apply a 2-3 inch layer around plants, shrubs, and trees (keeping it a few inches away from stems and trunks). It suppresses weeds, retains moisture, regulates soil temperature, and slowly feeds your plants as it continues to break down. It's especially beneficial for South Florida landscapes that struggle with heat stress and rapid moisture loss.

Question 21

Will horse manure attract flies or smell bad?

Accepted Answer

Properly composted horse manure has a pleasant, earthy smell — similar to rich forest soil. It does not attract flies or produce offensive odors. Fresh, uncomposted manure can attract flies and smell, which is why we ensure all our bagged product is thoroughly composted. If you're a farm owner, our regular pickup service helps minimize fly and odor issues on your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

1About Our Service

2Buying Manure Fertilizer

3Horse Manure Benefits

4For Farm & Ranch Owners

5Composting & Application

Still Have Questions?