manure, how long?

[mrswadders]

until I can put on my veg beds? We've found a local source that's giving it away, although it is what has just come out of the stables, we've already filled one big builders bag with some, do you think it'll be ok to add to beds in the spring? OR could I put on beds now and let it overwinter then dig it in? Everytime i've used manure before it's always been well rotted so not sure what's best to do with it.

cheers folks

[Thelma Sanders]

You can put it straight onto beds that aren't going to be used 'til spring.

Otherwise wait 'til it doesn't smell of pee or poo

[mrswadders]

brilliant, I had thought I could but wanted it verified first. Theres loads near where we have our caravan sited until january - will tell OH that we need to take the trailer this weekend, i'm sure he'll be really pleased !

[Nicos]

Remember to take more than you need and store some for the following year!
I've never used it so fresh but I trust Thelma

[mrswadders]

I think it's a pretty much on-going supply! all they ask is that you return the bags! - it's actually only half an hour from home so even if we're not staying at the van we can still get it!

[Guest]

Have you or someone you know used the stables poo before? Just be sure it isn't weedkiller/ contaminated before you start spreading it on your beds

[lottieguy]

Hi Ya, Before spreading it on the ground fresh I would compost it first. I made the mistake of spreading fresh horse manure on my ground 4 years ago and I am still battling against grass growing. The seed was in the poo and germinated. The horse eats grass or hay with grass seed in it and because they only have one stomach it is not digested as with cattle. So beware. Much better to get some pallet bins made up and compost it for 6 months they say. Good luck

[ESBkevin]

It can be used fairly raw, but adding some 'browns' and turning it will speed the composting process a lot. Now is a brilliant time to gather leaves and add them in with shredded paper and cardboard, better still some wood chips or sawdust if its free nearby. It makes lovely compost then in a few months, faster if you turn it over the festive season (and it works off the big lunch).

[Penellype]

Make a hotbed and grow some winter veg

How to make a hotbed | LEARN HOW TO GARDEN

[mrswadders]

very interesting, I think I might give it a go as i've all raised beds and cloches that OH has made to fit. What do you think I could put in at this time of year?

[Penellype]

The hotbed will provide a little extra heat, but the main issue at this time of year is light. You can grow winter salads - winter lettuce, corn salad and possibly some oriental greens such as mizuna. You could try spring cabbage, particularly if you can get plug plants at the garden centre - it may be a bit late to sow them. Winter spinach is also a possibility.

The heat from the muck won't last all winter, so you are looking at things that you can eat fairly quickly.

[mrswadders]

rightho, the GC had loads of plugs of spring cabbage and other stuff, think I might give it a go, then plant my onions in it next year. When's the best time to start another one next year to get the maximum benefit of it?

[Penellype]

I start mine in late February - it then takes a couple of weeks to get upto heat and its ready for spring crops to be planted out in March, giving me a head start on the cold soil. My bed is slightly shady - if yours is in full sun you could start in January.

How long it stays hot will depend on several things - the dimensions of the bed, the height of the manure, the amount of insulation and the type of manure. My hotbed is in my friend's garden and is not ideal in most ways. It is made from 1/2 inch timber - thicker would be better. There is no room to insulate it - you could surround the bed by bales of straw, polystyrene or even bubble wrap to keep the heat in - the thicker the insulation the longer it will stay hot. Mine is about 18 inches high and uses slow rotting shavings manure - a higher bed will last longer and straw manure will make it hotter. However, the principles are the same and you will get warmer soil sooner with a hotbed. It will also not be waterlogged (unless you build it in an area that floods) which can be a big advantage in the spring.

You are also further south than me - we can get late frosts here so I tend to be a bit conservative about what I use mine for in early spring.

[mrswadders]

Thank you, I'll give it a go and hopefully take some pics of it in action and hopeful sucesses!