Manure

[Stu8706]

Totally random question... Where is the best place to get horse manure? Other than the obvious...

I'm in Portsmouth area so any pointers would be helpful.

Stu


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[WendyC]

Are you on an allotment site, if so ask other plotters. Failing that try local riding or livery stables. Free cycle? You can also buy composted horse manure, bagged from garden centres. A pricier option but easy to handle. Some people say horse manure has a lot of weed seeds in it but i've only used the composted stuff and not had a problem.

[starloc]

I just wouldnt use it, theres that many people spraying weedkiller round, I just dont use manure, I dont think there is any need for manure
I lost a lot of plants with pre packed shop manure that was sold for use on plants and was contaminated a few years ago, the weedkillers are used still, I dont believe any of it is safe, unless your own animals produce it.

[Stu8706]

I have just start an allotment in Portsmouth. I'll ask the plotters see if they know anyone. I did not realise that it could be that bad. I have a compost bin on the go so will use that next year. What would you recommend using this year? I don't really want to pay for anything but I will if it will it will enhance my chances of success in my first year.


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[Bill HH]

Have a look at this.

Weedkiller in manure / Royal Horticultural Society


I use compost when I have it and chicken pellets when I dont.

[Highlander]

I use home made compost as a mulch and Blood, Fish and Bone as a base dressing and top dressing.

[Stu8706]

Billy

That is crazy that it can effect the allotment, I will google chicken pellets to see what they are.

Highlander

Hmmm you put bones and blood in your veg patch.... It makes you sound like a serial killer!! 😜

Seriously I'll google them too.

Cheers you two

Stu


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[Stu8706]

I have been looking on the net and they both cost about the same. So the question is which one is better for my soil???

Here is what I know:

Water logged at present.
Lots of clay.
I dug over 2 years of weeds in the autumn and then covered in leaf mulch for the winter.

If you need to know anything else just let me know.

Cheers all

Stu


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[RedThorn]

Hmm grounds rested for 2 years and leaf mulch. You should be good to go without this year. Get your feet wet and see which way you like to go/ decide to garden and make your decisions in the autumn.

How about getting chickens and getting your own chicken poo and with the added benefit of knowing what went into the poo

[Stu8706]

Red

I would love chickens but she who must be obeyed does not want chickens.

I'll keep working on her lol




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[RedThorn]

Once you've got them, you'll have a hard time separating her from them

[Bill HH]

Compost should be your first choice, making next years compost should be a priority all your household scraps everything plus newspaper and cardboard cut up. Chicken pellets are rich in nitrogen and would be of use on hungry crops, blood and bone is more for plant structure and development of fruit. Dont forget if you fertilise you also fertilise the weeds. I would be inclined to kill off or weaken your weeds by covering the patch with cardboard sheets until you need to use them. The cardboard will eventualy disintegrate and feed your soil, also worms love the stuff. There is lots of info on this site and i also highly recomment you tube allotment video's Try "Allotment diary"

Allotment Diary : How to grow potatoes in containers for an earlier crop - YouTube

That particular episode is about potatoes but he has hundreds on there.

[Stu8706]

Billy

Next years compost is on the boil and I like the idea of using cardboard. I have plenty of cardboard at work so could use that.

Can't wait for the water to drain off so I can get something in the ground.




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[Bill HH]

Dont use cardboard that has glossy pictures and print on it though cos it doesnt rot down well and may have toxins in the dye, cardboard, news paper wood shavings straw etc are known as browns, the rest are greens, good compost needs roughly 50% of each. A few chicken pellets wont do any harm either. Lots of info on here about how to make it.

[Stu8706]

Cheers Billy

I have plenty of removal compAny boxes so they should do the trick nicely.

Stu


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