ask the experts

[bedrockdave]

we have had 40 tons of well rotted stable manure delivered to our lottie and as you can imagine every one is covering their plots but some of the old guys are limeing too on top of the manure. I am sure that I have read in a thread somewhere that the two don't go together. I was going to leave for the winter ,dig in then lime next spring ....confused.com

[bedrockdave]

[betula]

You are quite correct.Do not do the two together. :)

[hopalong]

I'm told that if you mix lime with organic manures or fertilisers this releases a lot of ammonia which can be wasteful and harmful.  Best to lime first and delay applying manure until the lime is thoroughly incorporated in the soil.

[shaun01]

The hydrated lime which is sometimes added directly to the manure speeds up the bacterial action of fermentation but the alkalizing action burns up valuable nitrogen which is lost to the air so it all depends on what you are trying to achieve the main point i would like to make is that adding manure to improve your soil can take up to 5 years its not a quick fix but saying that anything is better then nothing at all most of the nutrients come from the urine passed by the animal that is why chicken muck is so good the chicken only has one exit hole so every thing comes out at the same time and is quit solid and consentrated

[cornykev]

A deffo no no.  :o  ???    :(               ;D ;D ;D

[shaun01]

kev can you explain why its a defo no no i am a bit confused

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

the nitrogen in manure is mostly in the form of urea and I expect  ammonium salts. Adding lime increases the pH and the urea and salts may be converted to ammonia, which is a gas and will tend to be lost to the atmosphere