Manure!!

[jofanning]

I have just collected some manure for the plot, it looks though the horses are kept in wood shavings, and it looks quite fresh. I have dumped it on the allotment, do I need to keep it covered, and do I have to leave it a certain amount of time to rot before digging it in? I'm sure the answer is already on the Grapevine somewhere but being blonde I seem to have trouble finding answers so I'm obviously not searching in the right place!!!

[Mrs Dobby]

Cant really comment from my own experience, as the only experience I have of manure is of mucking out as a girl on my Nans farm, but down our allotment most folks leave it covered over for 12 months before using it. I have a feeling its because the manure can be quite acidic with all the ammonia in it, and can damage the roots system if its used too quickly!

We are hoping to get some in the near future and then cover it over for use next autumn, there's a nicely made manure hopper at the front of our plot that needs something to fill it up!

[jofanning]

HowwillI know when its cooked!!

[ugly gourd]

we have cow muck but Im guessing horse is the same its cooked!! when its black with no patchs of straw or shavings that are still golden in colour and doesnt smell

[PAULW]

JO
You could dump it straight on your plot now and let it over winter then dig it in in the spring, the problem I found with this is your plot will be covered with weeds as the quick trip through the horses gut does not kill the seeds, or as mrs D said build a compost bin and let it compost for a year before using it, I dont really care for wood shavings as bedding as they take quite a bit of time to break down.

[nick the grief]

Yes and Yes.

If it has wood shavings in with it that will cause Nitrogen depletion as they breakdown. WHat you can do is seprerate the shavings & treat them with some Sulphate of ammonia & kepp it in some old compost bags for about 12 months & then use this on your plot. The Poo itself should be stacked for 6 months before use although you acn put it in the bottom of your bean trench now & let it break down ready for pkanting.