Well Rotted Manure - How do You Tell?

[Stork]

I've read a lot about well rotted manure. But how do you tell well rotted from fresh muck?

Also what's the downside if putting fresh stuff on my soil?

Simon.

[Stork]

[grawrc]

Well rotted manure is just like good compost (from the heap) or soil. You cannot recognise it as manure. It crumbles in your hands and is sweet-smelling.

[grawrc]

Sorry just noticed the other half of your question. The downside is that it can "burn" the plants and kill them because in its raw state it is very acidic. Like a pregnant dog urinating on grass kills the grass and leaves dead spots.

Not pregnant grrrrr female ( shhh that's a rude word LOL)

[supersprout]

Are you able to get fresh manure? If so, you can plan to have 'well-rotted' manure for your plants by keeping it in a heap for a year or so to rot down; or layering it in your compost heap; or putting it into trenches where you will be growing spuds (they will tolerate fresh manure). If your manure is full of wood chippings or sawdust, it might take longer than straw to get to 'well rotted' stage, but you will be able to tell by the sniff 'n crumble test as already suggested. I have successfully laid fresh manure on 'set aside' parts of the lottie before covering with black plastic for a few months, and the worms seemed to love it.

[grawrc]

Hey Pregnant dog = b***h? No I don't think so ::) :P Some auto-correct that!