Raised Beds

[Mimi]

Had my first days work in at the allotment today. It was gorgeous,  sunny and cold,  perfect for making a start. I have been a good girl and covered 1/2 the plot with landscaping fabric rather than old carpet as originally planned(after advice from others).  Have marked out where the raised beds are going, but just needed to know if I need to dig the soil which will be at the bottom of the raised beds.  Im very into the idea of dig as little as needed .The council may have rotovated my plot and the two either side last summer when the allotments where created.  Also have unlimited horse manure from local stable which has two types  :o and there was me thinking that there is only one  :) They  have poo with straw or poo with shavings.  Now which to choose ::) The chap in the stables says it is at least 3 months old.  Is this too fresh.  Simple questions I know but I have to start somewhere. :)Any advice would be appreciated.   Cheers.

[Mimi]

[tim]

Can't find the thread on the subject, in which I asked for confirmation on this (tell me where someone?),  but I believe straw is best. We can only get shavings.
You will also see thoughts on 'ripeness - I would think 3 months much too young! There should be no sign of straw, and it should be sweet-smelling and friable. = Tim

[Muddy_Boots]

Hi Mimi,

With Tim here, straw over shavings anytime, much quicker to break down.  Three months definitely too young, will burn.  A year is best, if you can get it or have somewhere to store it until it breaks down.  As Tim says, it should appear free of straw and just friable like good loam, still pongs though ;D

Kate

[Doris_Pinks]

Mimi, I would say straw over shavings........think I read somewhere that shavings are more acidic? Someone out there will know! 3 months is way too young, leave it in a pile somewhere and let it mature nicely!  
I have just put in a raised bed and have double dug it to give it it's best start! I would say it depends on the height of your bed as to wether you need to dig or not! (and also where are you going to get the soil from to fill them?) Mine has loosened bottom soil, layer of manure, more soil, then manure forked into that soil, which has raised the bed to the correct height for me. ( if the council have rotivated your plot, you may have untold weeds lurking, and double digging helps you to see the roots and oik them out)  Hope this helps!! DP

[tim]

OK - you may all relax - 'Garden Clinic' on the beeb's site - 'horse manure' - just love the bit about shavings from a rocking horse?? = Tim

[Muddy_Boots]

Just seen that Tim!  Love it ;D  Course, it might depend whether rocking horse was antique or new for rarity value!   ;D ;D ;D

Think you could auction rocking horse manure on Flog It or some such programme!!!!!


Kate

[Garden Manager]

Ok I am no expert on this, but I have heard/read somewhere (do a lot of this) that straw is better because it doesnt take so long to break down as shavings. :-/

And just to add to things, there are i think far more different materials that could be in stable manure. this is because there are lots of different bedding materials for horses these days, not just straw and shavings. If your 'source' happens to be racing stables you are far mopre likely to have different ingredients in your manure. Thouroghbred racehorses are picky creatures when it comes to bedding!

Sorry cant remember exactly what they all are.

A good thing to do if your manure is a litle fresh is to use it on the compost heap. It stores the manure, makes your compost go further, and helps it make quicker (because of the heat and organisms in the manure). Just a thought. ;)

[tim]

DIFFERENT? - like fois gras droppings?? = Tim

[Doris_Pinks]

Hahaha Tim! Steroids maybe!!  ;D DP

[Muddy_Boots]

Luckily then for Mimi, think she's probably in livery horse country rather than racing.  However, Mimi, can you remind me of the very dinky and pleasurable racing venue in Wales, which I thought was one of the nicest smaller course I had seen!  Keep thinking Newport but know I'm wrong!

Kate

[Garden Manager]

NOOOOOOO!

I mean instead of straw or shavings

Ive just found this article on manure if anone is interested

http://www.alantitchmarsh.com/AlanTitchmarsh/advice/garden_weekly_previous.asp?PreviousArticles=11%2F01%2F04

[Mimi]

Dont laught Doris  it can happen.  When i first started in our new garden 18 months ago,I dug new beds and the soil was desperatley in need of a bit of well rotted manure.  Just happened to see a sign in the local vets 'Well Rotted Manure'  free to collectors, enquire at reception.  They did ask where I was putting it, in borders or in veggie garden, as they didnt recommend in the veggie garden because of what was potentially in the manure.  This puzzled me so I asked what could be in the manure other than the obvious. Apparently the manure was from the stable where they kept ill horses and there could be anything from steroids to antibiotics having gone through the horse and ended up in the manure.I did take a couple of trailerloads to beef up the borders but stopped after finding a couple of syringes and needles and two scalple blades :oI telephoned the vets surgery to inform them and they now have stopped people collecting it.  Shame  :-/but much safer.

[Muddy_Boots]

Ooh!  Whoops!  Clanger or what?

Kate

[Mimi]

Sorry Kate missed you question about the racing course.  To be honest, I havent got a clue,  :-[ not a horsey person.  Now if it was motor bike racing :Dother half is avid fan and knows most of the bike courses.  

[SueT]

Hey Muddyboots, could it be Bangor Racecourse?
Here is link just in case  ;D www.bangordee.co.uk

[Doris_Pinks]

Blimey Mimi!! Makes you look at horse pooh in a whole new light!

[Mimi]

Sure does Doris.  Opened my eyes I can tell you  :o

[aquilegia]

(horsey person here!) The other bedding types include shredded paper and specially manufactured bedding materials that I have no idea what it's made from. Race horses would probably be on one of the special beddings are they are inedible (you can't have a race horse munching through a straw bed!) and they are less likely to cause breathing problems (many sensitive horses are allergic to the dust in straw).

Shavings tend to soak up a lot more urine than straw. I know urine is a good compost activator (not that I've ever tried it!) but I would imagine that would make the manure more acidic.

[Muddy_Boots]

Thanks girls, just remembered, is Chepstow racecourse!


Kate

[Garden Manager]

Luckily then for Mimi, think she's probably in livery horse country rather than racing.  However, Mimi, can you remind me of the very dinky and pleasurable racing venue in Wales, which I thought was one of the nicest smaller course I had seen!  Keep thinking Newport but know I'm wrong!

Kate

Not Chepstow by chance? not exactly Dinky though. Only one in wales at the moment