Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Very fresh horse manure

Collapse

X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Very fresh horse manure

    I got hold of a dozen black sacks of this today for the allotment.
    Should I leave it in the bags to rot down, put it in my composter
    or spread it over my plot (and should I dig it in)?
    How long will it take before its useable?
    TIA,
    Pete
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Either of the first two choices or make a hot bed. I fear we will not get much of a winter to break it down enough if spread over the plot. Also if it is the first time you have got it from where you got it, you might want to test it first before putting it on anything.

    Comment

    • #3
      Originally posted by Norfolkgrey View Post
      Either of the first two choices or make a hot bed. I fear we will not get much of a winter to break it down enough if spread over the plot. Also if it is the first time you have got it from where you got it, you might want to test it first before putting it on anything.
      Why do you "need a winter" to break it down. Surely it would break down better in milder conditions?

      Comment

      • #4
        Contain it in something plant a couple of broad beans in each container & see how they grow before putting possibly contaminated manure onto your growing area, would be my advice.

        EDIT ... See here for advice regarding contamination ............

        http://www.growyourown.info/page164.html


        &


        https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=477
        Last edited by bearded bloke; 30-12-2015, 02:18 PM.
        He who smiles in the face of adversity,has already decided who to blame

        Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

        Comment

        • #5
          Originally posted by Scoot View Post
          Why do you "need a winter" to break it down. Surely it would break down better in milder conditions?
          A hard winter will kill any beasties & eggs that may be in the manure.
          sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
          -------------------------------------------------------------------
          Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
          -----------------------------------------------------------
          KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by Bigmallly View Post
            A hard winter will kill any beasties & eggs that may be in the manure.
            I can understand that and killing things off but still surely a mild winter will see manure break down quicker? Unless i am missing something lol?

            Comment

            • #7
              No Scoot, I see your point.
              sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
              --------------------------------------------------------------------
              Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
              -------------------------------------------------------------------
              Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
              -----------------------------------------------------------
              KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by Scoot View Post
                Why do you "need a winter" to break it down. Surely it would break down better in milder conditions?
                my horsey poo breaks down better with cold and wet not warm and dry (or windy as it is at the moment). Sorry I have no explanations for this

                Comment

                • #9
                  Its probably like rough digging and leaving the soil in clods to overwinter. The cold and frost break the clods down while warm wet weather would turn it to mud.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    The speed of breakdown depends on what sort of bedding has been used. Straw breaks down much faster than wood shavings or sawdust.

                    If it is warm and windy the manure will dry out and nothing rots well when its very dry. That will be why it rots better when cold and wet. If you put it in a sack, compost bin or a hotbed it will dry out less quickly as there is less exposed surface than in a pile or spread out.
                    A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP. - Leonard Nimoy

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Well mine has been spread in stages all depending on when i harvested that part of the garden. Some went on in September/ October then the next lot went on in November and then the last lot in December when i pulled all my Parsnips.there'll be nothing going in the garden until April anyway so hopefully enough time even for the last lot i spread to break down. It's worked every other year I've tried it

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        I've just spread a wheel barrow load of fresh stuff on my greenhouse borders. I had toms in them but didn't want to disturb the soil as I am planting spring cabbage in the beds now the module grown plants have grown a bit and are ready for transplanting. I like the soil firm for brassicas.
                        Because the beds were dry I've watered them through the hoss muck to start the interaction between soil and muck.
                        When I plant the ball headed Spring cabbage I'll dig a hole with trowel and plant through the muck making sure its away from the cabbage stem. If it does warm the soil a bit it may bring the cabbages on quicker.
                        Hopefully the organic matter will help my toms/peppers planted after SC.
                        My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
                        to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

                        Diversify & prosper


                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Thanks for all your replies.

                          Comment

                          Previous template Next

                          Latest Topics

                          Collapse
                          View All

                          Recent Blog Posts

                          Collapse
                          View All
                          Working...
                          X