horse / cow muck

[roadkill]

Two questions

which is the best to use horse or cow muck

and how do i go about gtting it delivered down to my allotment is there any companys or do i ring around farms?

cheers roadkill

[Capsid]

I don't think there is a lot of difference between the two types. It may be more likely that the cow muck is contaminated with the hormone weedkiller so best to check with the farmer.

I can't comment about delivery as I collect mine personally from the farmer's field by agreement. There are companies that deliver but they aren't that cheap.

[snuffer]

Interesting that Capsid mentions how expensive delivery can be for manures. I realised I must be paying to much for mine when it was unloaded from the back of a magnificent, spanking brand new Mercedes estate.

[darkangel6976]

Hi
I have found that local people with farms or horses advertise it in the local paper. We get 6 potatoe sacks full of horse manure for £7 delivered straight to the allotment. To me this is cheap and apparently from what I have read from my gardening books horse manure is the best manure you can get so I am even more happier.
Ring your local horse stables and check local papers too. I even got a free bag last week with mine.

Hope this helps.

[Glutton4...]

Hi Roadkill,

All I can say is, I covered my previous garden in horse manure (collected myself from the stables - free) to improve the soil and mulch it for the winter. Fab stuff, I'm used to the smell anyway. BUT ten years later I was still trying to get rid of the stinging nettles, thistles, dock and other weeds that comes with it (That's not why we moved though)

Unfortunately, Horses have lousy digestive systems, and most weed seeds pass straight through. Cows, I know, have a far better digestive system.

Take yer pick!

Regards,

G4...X

[Snadger]

Interesting that Capsid mentions how expensive delivery can be for manures. I realised I must be paying to much for mine when it was unloaded from the back of a magnificent, spanking brand new Mercedes estate.

Have you bought yourself a new merc then snuffer?

[Snadger]

The last lot of horse muck I got I picked up myself for FREE. 5 years old and full of worms it was!
It was advertised in the local Ad-mag if I remember correctly!
Our council are also offering FREE soil conditioner to allotments.

If you have a choice, try and get manure from animals bedded on straw rather than woodshavings as the straw breaks down quicker!

[bobleponge]

I have the choice of horse or cow and choose horse every time, mainly because of the chemical issue.
I am lucky I get it free but make sure I rot it for at least 2 years before it goes on my garden because of the weeds etc.
I also rot down chicken manure and straw, also for 2 years because of the nitrogen.
Take your pick but mine is always horse.

[terrier]

Unfortunately, Horses have lousy digestive systems, and most weed seeds pass straight through. Cows, I know, have a far better digestive system.

G4...X

You're not kidding. Horses go down with colic for the least reason, I don't know how they've survived as a species.

Round here stables just give equipoo away. I've tried advertising it in local papers and still no one wants it ? I've even delivered large loads FOC just to get rid of the stuff.

[Capsid]

You're not kidding. Horses go down with colic for the least reason, I don't know how they've survived as a species.

Round here stables just give equipoo away. I've tried advertising it in local papers and still no one wants it ? I've even delivered large loads FOC just to get rid of the stuff.

Can you deliver to Derby? I can't seem to find a stables locally.

[Two_Sheds]

Can you deliver to Derby? I can't seem to find a stables locally.

Is Etwall near you? There's a riding school there: Barleyfields-riding school derby/derbyshire/livery stables/competition yard/horse riding

[Two_Sheds]

Roadkill, you're spoilt for choice for riding schools and horsey places: FindMyNearest Horse Riding in Loughborough | UpMyStreet

[FionaH]

You're not kidding. Horses go down with colic for the least reason, I don't know how they've survived as a species.

True, darn things are a walking design fault

[Capsid]

Is Etwall near you? There's a riding school there: Barleyfields-riding school derby/derbyshire/livery stables/competition yard/horse riding

Thanks for the link, I'm north Derby. I can get cow manure which is nearer but I have to get it myself and it's a messy job. I'm looking for someone to deliver really (not in a merc)

[HayleyB]

Careful though as many people use woodchip which takes a couple of years to break down and there are some chemical treated beddings as well to reduce dust. Apparently woodchip draws nutrients from the soil if not well rotted.

I'm moving back to straw this year for economic reasons but it will also mean that my muck will be well juicy by spring and with 4 in there'll be loads of it .

I'm always telling people to tuck into my heap whenever they want. This year with my efforts included it looked like the side of a quarry interesting to see the different layers from that perspective but then I'd been on woodchip for many years, the black stuff at the bottom smelt evil, but wow