Hello.

I recently moved into a new place, so my compost pile is brand new. I have sugar snap peas that are just poking up above the ground. I planted them a couple of weeks ago with no sort of fertilization.

My question is: since I don't have any compost, is there anything I should/can add to my peas to help them out? I have access to lots of horse manure, and I considered making a "tea" out of this and pouring SMALL amounts of it on the peas. But since the peas are legumes, perhaps adding uncomposted manure would be a horrible overkill of nitrogen?

The other alternatives, I suppose, would be to use store-bought compost (which I'm not crazy about doing) or to do nothing at all and hope the soil has everything the peas need already.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

GQkudzu

Peas fix nitrogen, but they do not create it...go ahead with your manure tea idea. It is a common fallacy that you don't need to fertilize legumes...they need the food too, they just keep it where it does them good, rather than letting it wash away. You might just want to mulch around them with woodchips over some manure, too. A little lime will help them fruit and taste sweet.

Did you plant in a space that has never been used as a garden before? I find that when I do this, the plants do terrifically well the first year or two without much help. That gives me time to add mulch, etc. that will be beneficial eventually. But then I have excellent soil to begin with (richest in the world is right here in this county they say).

Our city collects green waste from the area and composts it at 'Ecology Park'. Twice a year, anyone with a pail and shovel can take what they want for $2.00. Check to see if this is done in your area. It was a boon to me last year when I lost the whole season with a broken heel.
Also, mix some of that horse manure with some browns. Turn it frequently for 2 weeks, and you should have a pretty good compost to use as is or as a tea. Horse manure really gets the pile cooking fast.

Thanks for your suggestions, brennewoman and Mumsey. Yes, the space I chose for my garden wasn't a garden before, but it WAS a lawn.

good reply from loamlump. I am a composting fanatic. Check with your local solid waste management facility and ask about their composting program (if they have one). But don't delay starting your own. Save those kitchen scraps. Ask your neighbor for his lawn trimmings. The recources are boundless. For my neighbors who save some of their organic residue for me I repay with vegies. Trust me, they will keep it coming for food! BTW, if you enjoy reading, grab a book or two--not to mention the many internet sites--about composting. Check into your local Agricultural Extention Service and inquire about Master Composter/Gardener programs. Jeez, the list can go on and on! I'm rambling... Good luck.