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Can you use too much manure/ compost

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Offwego:
After a poor year last year I’m determined to have a better year in the polytunnel this year. I have put in the beds 50mm of homemade compost, a good sprinkling of chicken pellets ,  100mm of guinee pig bedding turned that all in to the existing soil then topped them off today with 30mm of spent mushroom compost, I’m hoping that should sort them out but can you over manure and cause more harm than good?

Paulh:
I don't know. I suspect it is more easily done if you are applying a concentrated feed or inorganic fertiliser directly to or around a plant, or (say) a nitrogen-rich feed in the autumn which encourages lush growth that the frosts will kill. You rather are applying mostly bulky material containing nutrients and digging that into the soil. The plants will take up what they need as their roots grow into it. The mushroom compost may be slightly alkaline, which brassicas like and potatoes don't; tomatoes may not be keen on it either.

Tee Gee:
Let me answer this in stages

1)I have put in the beds 50 mm of homemade compost.

I see no problem with that, but timing can have an effect

2) a good sprinkling of chicken pellets

I never put fertilisers on until I am ready to plant out, otherwise the fertiliser may have leached away before the plant needs them!

Added to which some additives e.g. Lime can react with fresh manure

3)100mm of guinee pig bedding turned that all in to the existing soil.
 
I would have put this with the homemade compost!

4)then topped them off today with 30 mm of spent mushroom compost

This is one of those compost/manures you have to be quite careful with as this often has high quantities of lime in it and  as I mentioned above this can react with manure.
Usually I was selective which beds I would use it on e.g I would use it where I planned on planting Brassicas but never where I was planting Potatoes

5)I’m hoping that should sort them out, but can you over manure and cause more harm than good?

Personally I don't think so, however I think when you apply it/them can make a big difference!

This link and its relative links might help you!

https://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Content/S/Soil-Preparation/Soil%20Cultivation.htm

click on images to enlarge

Deb P:
What Tee Gee said!  :happy7:

Offwego:
I am working on the theory feed the soil and not the plants .

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