Is this manure ready for my plot?

[adamjohn]

Hi - Another beginner question from me!

Yesterday I bought 7 bags of manure from the side of the road. I have taken them to the allotment and had a look inside. I have never used manure and am unsure if it is OK to dig this stuff in now or whether I need to let it rot further.

It doesn't smell of muck - I thought it should, more earthy, hence why I think it could be OK?

Here are a couple of pics:



Thanks!

[rustylady]

That looks quite fresh to me. You can still see the shape of the droppings. What were you planning to use it on?

[StaryD]

Still looks pretty fresh, I would leave it for another 6 months or so.
Rule of thumb I usually go by is that if you can still see straw or shavings well, it hasn't had long enough to rot down.
If there is evidence of un-rotted sawdust,shavings and straw then use with caution as these things deplete the soil of nitrogen as they rot in the ground.

[zazen999]

But you can use it as a mulch and the worms will take it down as it rots.

I'd check for aminopyralid before you do anything with it though.

[adamjohn]

Thanks for the advice.

I was planning on digging it in to the beds I am going to plant my potatoes into.

So alternatively I could use it as a mulch or I could pop it all into a half full dalek compost bin I have got, Mix all the contents together and leave for six months?

[Hazel at the Hill]

Thanks for the advice.

I was planning on digging it in to the beds I am going to plant my potatoes into.

So alternatively I could use it as a mulch or I could pop it all into a half full dalek compost bin I have got, Mix all the contents together and leave for six months?

Personally, I'd bung it on the potato beds (no need to dig in) and plant the spuds through, although either of your other plans would work just as well.

[adamjohn]

But you can use it as a mulch and the worms will take it down as it rots.

I'd check for aminopyralid before you do anything with it though.

Just googled aminopyralid... Now that is pretty worrying! How would you go about testing for it?

[Tripmeup]

As Hazel says (and assuming it is "ok" manure), then if you are using it for spuds, it will be fine to use....Lay it on/across the ground and plant the seed potatoes on it...

[Bigmallly]

Hope you enjoy reading AJ:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ure_39626.html

[zazen999]

Just googled aminopyralid... Now that is pretty worrying! How would you go about testing for it?

Bring some home and mix 50/50 with multipurpose compost, and sow some beans in it. Then watch as they grow. If the leaves are mangled and distorted do not put it on your veg patch.

[Two_Sheds]

I was planning on digging it in to the beds

Mulching is much more effective than "digging in".

http://home.howstuffworks.com/vegeta...en-mulches.htm

[SlugLobber]

That's definitely fresh. Any horse poo-ologist will confirm that.

Aminopyralid contamination is more likely with dairy farms and therefore cow manure. Most horse people will only spot treat weeds - I don't know anyone that does it routinely. I've never once used herbicides on my land, just topping once a year. I use fresher manure on my spud beds and also at the bottom of containers, so it rots whilst the veg grows down. After harvest it then goes onto the main beds.

As an aside, poo is so easy to come by, I'd never bother paying for it. Call into any livery yard and ask if you can take some of their muckheap. Some will thrust a shovel at you and tell you to fill your boots! I know I would!

[rustylady]

That's definitely fresh. Any horse poo-ologist will confirm that.

Aminopyralid contamination is more likely with dairy farms and therefore cow manure. Most horse people will only spot treat weeds - I don't know anyone that does it routinely.

But what about bought-in winter feed like hay?

[SlugLobber]

But what about bought-in winter feed like hay?

Good point! I've always bought organic hay, which is common, round here. I stand corrected!

[bario1]

Thought i'd hijack this thread rather than start another similar one.... I picked up a load of manure this weekend, its quite fresh, and is from a field, rather than a stable, so isn't mixed with anything, and its formed some quite big slimy lumps - ewww! Should i mix with straw before putting it in my compost heap? If so, what ratio of straw to manure should it be (and also, where can you buy a bale of straw?). I've been researching hotbeds a bit over the weekend, but decided it looks too complicated, and i don't really have the space on my plot anyway.

Any advice appreciated.