Topic: Is "manure tea" a good way of using fresh manure?

[Vinlander]

I am a long, long way from being a manure expert - I've always relied on compost - however...

I have some fresh horse manure (and very little "cured" manure from last year).

I also have some hungry and thirsty celeriac plants that would love some manure tea!

I'm pretty sure the new manure is free from artificial nasties (a bit of manure tea on something expendable might be the best way of being sure??).

I've seen advice to not use fresh manure because it's "too strong" - if that's all that bothered me  I'd dilute it more.

Anyone have actual experience of this problem?

Cheers.

[Bill Door]

My father use to collect sheep manure and soak it in water. He left it for a week and then watered half and half.  He put the sheep manure in a hessian sack. After leaving it to soak for about three weeks he would empty the sack into the compost heap and fill the sack with a new manure to start the process again.

The thing is that doing the same with horse manure you can reduce the risk of weed seeds getting on to the soil.  If you can start one small lot to soak for say a week and at the same time start a bigger lot to soak for two or three weeks before use.  You might need to consider doing one part tea to two parts water.

I don't think you will "burn" the plants with the fresh tea but you might need to consider this as the brew gets older.

Best wishes

Bill

[johhnyco15]

i use hot manure all the time in my brew and its pigeon so its really strong just dilute to your required rate and different plants need different strength your soon work out your needs hope this helps

[Vinlander]

Thanks everybody - I will give it a fair trial just in case there are any 'cides hiding in it.

I'm guessing I should use the 'nuggets' in the pile for this (??) - they haven't had time to put much of themselves into the straw - and the straw probably has lots of salt from urine in it that I'd be better off without.

Incidentally I've remembered what made me doubt the need for 'curing':

I have a vague memory of Harry Dodgson in "the Victorian Kitchen Garden" with a rough sack, a couple of cow pats and a bucket. I think the target was celery, and I think the pats were fresh...

Cheers.