Horse manure and sawdust

[greenscrump]

just done a serach and elsewhere on the site it says that this has to be left to rot down for 4-5 years !!!!!! Please tell me this is wrong as we have just shifted a load of free stuff to the plot filled up a compost bin and tucked it in.....  :'(

[greenscrump]

[asbean]

Is it smelly?  Very well rotted manure doesn't smell of anything. 

Our pile is fairly well organised, we are digging stuff that's two years' old, at least, unfortunately the part of the pile that's the oldest has been covered by newer stuff in places, so I expect it will be at least 10 years old by the time we get to it - if ever.  We are supplied by approx 14 horses, they don't use sawdust, but straw.  I've heard rumours about sawdust and wood shavings; this link gives some insight: http://www.allotment.org.uk/articles2/Horse_Manure_Does_It_Have_Any_Uses.php. 

We've been collecting and digging in and mulching with the stuff for the four years we've had our allotment, and now have fantastic friable soil, full of worms, and stuff grows like s*** off a shovel.

[greenscrump]

It is v smelly !!  Thanks for the link  :) feel much better now as we can compensate if nec for the potential nitrogen leeching- although it is mostly 'nuggets' ! We are planning on digging it in over winter as have really heavy clay soil and are hoping for the end result you have  ;D

[asbean]

If it looks like it's just come out of a horse - it's too fresh.  Will burn everything it touches.

[Eristic]

If it looks like it's just come out of a horse - it's too fresh.  Will burn everything it touches.

Utter nonsense.

[growmore]

I have spreaded fresh muck with shavings and sawdust  in it ..Left it a few days then rotovated it in .Never had probs with it ..Crops do well in it ...

[libby]

i planted a young apple tree in fresh cow manure, i mean pure, no soil, was told i'd got it wrong, maybe i was lucky, but it's turned out great, now five years old. i suppose if you did this with young fragile plants, things could be different

[greenscrump]

Thanks all, I must admit I was awake at 3 am fretting about the sawdust  ::) i shall continue with Plan A and dig it in come the autumn  :)

[mikey]

I have spreaded fresh muck with shavings and sawdust  in it ..Left it a few days then rotovated it in .Never had probs with it ..Crops do well in it ...

agree 100%, we did the same (some years ago as beginners), no harm done and everything grew like crazy, including weeds  ;D

We now regularly spread fresh Horse muck on beds and borders but do not plant seedlings directly into it, just scrape a clear space and seedlings will be fine.

If you search A4A for Poo, Horse Poo or Manure you will find heaps (excuse the pun) of info  ;D

PS ... Our Pooh comes 'almost' directly from the Horses but does not smell at all ?  8)

[cornykev]

Cover and leave to the Autumn and it should be fine.  ;D ;D ;D