Fresh manure?

[cockadoodledoo]

Hi,  I know that  cant use it yet dug in but can I use it as a mulch to suppress weeds between plants or will it still deprive my plants (of nitrogen?....sorry, still learning) as it rots down.  Was thinking of putting it around the courgettes and pumpkins........any advice appreciated.  Thanks. :)

[cockadoodledoo]

[littlegem]

not absolutely sure about using it as a mulch, i think it may burn the plants (someone correct me if i'm wrong)  i know you can plant courgettes and pumpkins or any type of squash IN a manure heap but i'm not sure if that has to be rotted down, i am presuming not.

I take it from your name that you have chooks? depending on what they are bedded on i think you can use that for mulch.  i'm using mine (woodchip and shavings) as a first layer on my rasied beds, something tasty for the roots to reach down to

[Lauren S]

Poultry Manure

This is available in some areas and care should be taken to know the drugs and chemicals used on the poultry flock. Manure from intensive farmed poultry should generally be avoided.

Always store it in a dry place. When applied wet, its value is only about half that of similar material stored and kept dry.

It should be used with caution, at the rate of about 1 lb to the square yard, and may be dug in, or used as a top dressing in the spring or early summer and hoed in.

Pigeon manure contains more plant food than poultry manure, and is approximately twice as valuable.

Lauren

[antipodes]

well I don't know if it will work or not, I got manure from the riding stables in April, and after sejourning in some black bin bags, I simply buried it under the squash and corn bed. I am sure that the worm will go to work on it there and by the time the roots get into it, it will surely be somewhat decomposed. I would say that mixed, and dug in, it is less likely to burn plants than dumped on top of or around them. But as I say this is the first time I have tried it. For now the pumpkins aren't complaining....

[daileg]

im glad this conversation is going as i have experienced this very problem i have put in about 100 kg of fresh manure into the ground in late feb but thought the high rain would be enough to break it down i planted into it with some bits and peices as a result have noticed my plants getting burnt from it thought it was somthing i was doing wrong well i have now found out it was fresh manure other than using some real old manure is there anything else i could use i can get my hands on some good poultry manure if i needed 

[cockadoodledoo]

I wasnt planning on putting directly around the base of the plants due to the burning, just thought that it might rot down without taking that the plants need to grow, due to being in the open air and then the nutrients would be washed down into the soil???.......probably have to think of something else...........Yes I do have hens but I remember reading somewhere not to use shavings in compost bins etc as they take longer to break down or something so dont really bother with any waste from them.............I grew corgettes in large tubs  at home last year and did try top dressing them when I cleaned out the hen house but I didnt notice any improvement to growth on previous years so gave up on the idea (although it may just have been last years dodgy weather ???).........thanks for replies :)

[Tee Gee]

can I use it as a mulch to suppress weeds between plants or will it still deprive my plants (of nitrogen?

Was thinking of putting it around the courgettes and pumpkins

Assuming you are referring to farm yard manure e.g. either cow / pig /horse then I would say putting around a 3" (75mm) mulch around your plants will do no harm.

Regarding nitrogen deprivation this is not an issue because it is not competing with the nitrogen being taken in by the plant below soil level.

However if you are referring to chicken manure then don't use this as this is generally too hot and wants weathering before use.

[cockadoodledoo]

Hi, yes its cow muck.......thanks for advice TeeGee ;) :)

[daileg]

thanks teegee you have set my mind at rest aswell i done the same thing thanks