HELP! Advice needed about manuring plot

[diamondgirl]

My friend and I are very new and inexperienced allotment holders, although have done  gardening.  Have just got first allotment (1/2 a plot) which has quite heavy soil in need of improvement.  We planned to dig in manure and leave over winter figuring it should be ok by then to start planting in Spring.  I know you cannot plant things in fresh manure and it's  best to get 'well rotted' but our manure was very fresh.  We are now concerned that even in the Spring it will be too fresh and will damage our crops - we have left some untreated areas for root crops as were told they would split as they don't like manured soil. So I'm just wondering what you think and what advice you can give? Have we stuffed up before we've even started!   

Thanks for any help.

[diamondgirl]

[kt.]

The older the better for manure.  Ideally a minimum of 6 months old.  There will be no problems if you dig in your manure now.  By the time you come to use it,  it will of already decomposed substantially and will not harm any sowings and plantings you do in the spring or later.  Cover any remaining manure to aid it to rot down faster in the meantime.  Also by covering it acts as a weed suppressant so all the weeds etc do not grow through it whilst it is stood.

[diamondgirl]

Thanks so much for that!  We thought it would probably be ok but am so glad of the reassurance.  Back to the digging now!  It is so satisfying to see how it's all coming along. 

The sad thing is that some of the lovely people working their plots have just had another night-time visit and had produce and chickens stolen.  Doesn't it make you mad!

[ceres]

Before you consider using manure, fresh or rotted, do a search on aminopyralid in the forum or on google.

[diamondgirl]

Thank you for the warning...I had read posts and articles about this problem but fortunately, our little allotment site is supplied by a local chap I have known for years and he does not use chemicals on his land - a limitless supply of organic poo!  Other allotment holders who have used the manure have had no problems - just magnificent veggies!

[ceres]

Well, as long as he doesn't buy in any hay or silage you should be safe.

[manicscousers]

hiya, diamondgirl, welcome to the site  ;D
beans and spuds like manure, we'd cover the manured areas over winter with cardboard and either black plastic or weed control, it helps it break down and brings the worms in  :)

[Trevor_D]

If you've got a safe supply of manure - sounds like you might have - dig it in any time between now & Christmas. But fork it into the trench so that it's incorporated into the soil: this will help fresh manure break down so that come spring it should be OK.

But if you've read through the other threads don't be surprised that a number of us are rather wary about its use and would prefer to do a "belt & braces" job, ie incorporate it very thoroughly into the soil.

[diamondgirl]

Thanks Trevor, I really appreciate all your words of wisdom - I must admit to being somewhat alarmed when I read up on the problem with manure but I've spoken to the person who supplies it and think  it will be ok.  Other allotment holders have used it with no problems (although it was not as 'fresh' as ours!)  It's a smelly job, but someone has to do it!!

So glad to have found this site, you've all been very helpful. 

[diamondgirl]

Thanks for the welcome - I'd add a smiley here but haven't worked out how to put them in yet!  I'm obviously a  bit technically challenged too! I'll go read up how to do it.

We are certainly planning to grow spuds, beans, onions, and everything else we can possibly try to fit in next year.  Suck it and see, we thought and see what does well.  Thanks for the tips - all duly noted.

We are already casting our eye over an adjacent plot which looks abandoned in the hope we might be allowed to take that over... Steady on though, we haven't planted a single seed yet - we must not get over enthusiastic!  It is great though to get out in the fresh air after getting home from work.

[Mr Smith]

Hi Diamond Girl,
                           I'm new to having a lotty after many years of not having one,  I have a supply of non comtaminated muck and this is what I'm going to do with my lotty, I have forked the ground that I intend to use next year for veg that love muck, I will then spread my muck over it before the end of October because any later and more than likely it will be to wet to get on the lotty, I will then return in the spring and run the  rotovate over it,  :)

[diamondgirl]

Hi Mr Smith - that sounds like a plan - we'll be doing much the same.  I have some time off work in October and I think I know what I'll be doing then! Here's hoping we have a dry spell.

[cornykev]

Hi Diamondgirl and welcome to the madhouse  :P :P :P , looks like you have been given good advice and pretty much look like you know what your doing, get yourself some wintering onions and garlic in soon, and stock pile some more manure for next year so its really well rotted. when you are typing out your post the smileys :) :D ;D ;) are directly above your message.   :) ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8) ??? ::) :P :-[ :-X :-\ :-* :'(       ;D ;D ;D

[diamondgirl]

Hi cornykev - it certainly seems like there is some excitement on some allotments :o  I have already made arrangements to have a stockpile of manure put at the end of our plot in readiness for next year.  We have left some areas manureless as it's rather 'fresh' and that's where I think I'll put some onions - thought it might be too late but it's worth a try.  We were very lucky as the plot we took over was newly ploughed and free of weeds - how cool was that! 8) (I'm trying out the smileys - see the link there!)

Anyway, I'm home from work after a long early shift but the sun is shining and I feel the need to go and dig some more.  Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.  It's a steep learning curve! 

[Kea]

Hi
You might want to read this before you plant up your freshly manured plot.
Current guidelines to the fresh produce (veg and salad) industry are
as follows:

"You should NOT apply fresh solid manure or slurry (i.e. manure that
has not been batch
stored or treated) within 12 months of harvesting a ready to eat crop,
including a minimum
period of 6 months between the manure application and drilling/
planting of the crop."

[Source: MANAGING FARM MANURES FOR FOOD SAFETY Guidelines for Growers
to Reduce the Risks of Microbiological Contamination of Ready to Eat
Crops, Food Standards Agency, 2005]. Further information can be found
on the FSA web site here:

http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2007/sep/manureguid

[ceres]

Hi cornykev - it certainly seems like there is some excitement on some allotments

That's probably not how I would describe losing crops and making the ground unfit for planting for 2 years.  With luck on your side, you hopefully won't have to experience what it feels like, but I can promise you it's not excitement. 

[diamondgirl]

Hi ceres - I probably should have made it clear the excitement I was referring to was the posting by Dawn123 about being banned from an allotment following an altercation.  You are right, it would be devastating to lose crops and not be able to use the plot for that amount of time.  Hopefully, this will not be the price of our inexperience.  :(