Horse manure spreading question

[elhuerto]

We have a local farmer delivering a trailer load of horse manure this weekend. He estimates it to be about 6000kg. I'm having trouble working out if that's going to be too little, too much  or about right. The allotment is about 400m2 in total but probably a quarter of that is taken up by greenhouse, shed, paths etc.

Bit of a long shot of a question but has anyone got any thoughts on that?

Cheers

[elhuerto]

[lincsyokel2]

jeez, 6 tonnes  :O

Thats about 8 cubic metres. Thats a hell of a pile of poo, about a third of a rigid 3 axle lorry full. It'll give you a layer about 3 cms deep all over.

[elhuerto]

Thanks a lot, that's very helpful and what I was hoping. Looks like it could be a busy weekend  :)

[Unwashed]

Yup, that a big job you have there.

[cornykev]

Don't forget not to DUMP any on your roots bed.       ;D ;D ;D

[Tee Gee]

Thats about the quantity I get every year and it does my two allotments.

Admittedly my muck is 'cow manure' and tends not to be as bulky as horse muck.

Hope your ready for the resulting chick weed!

[elhuerto]

Hope your ready for the resulting chick weed!

I wasn't aware of any weed issues to be honest - anything I should know?

Cheers!

[Tee Gee]

anything I should know?

Nothing to worry about!

There are weed seeds that horses or cows for that matter can't digest so they end up in the manure to germinate on the plot.

A bit like we humans with tomato seed and sweet corn kernels.

I have picked many a tomato up on the sewage farms.

In fact it is a good source of tomato plants, only trouble is you don't know what variety you are getting!

[rog_pete]

anything I should know?

I have picked many a tomato up on the sewage farms.

In fact it is a good source of tomato plants, only trouble is you don't know what variety you are getting!

now that is just so wrong... but maybe it is so right??

[Digeroo]

My manure grows fat hen.

[Pesky Wabbit]

We have a local farmer delivering a trailer load of horse manure this weekend. He estimates it to be about 6000kg. I'm having trouble working out if that's going to be too little, too much  or about right. The allotment is about 400m2 in total but probably a quarter of that is taken up by greenhouse, shed, paths etc.

Bit of a long shot of a question but has anyone got any thoughts on that?

Cheers

If,  once its been spread, it squidges over the top of your wellies, then its too deep.  ;)

[elhuerto]

If,  once its been spread, it squidges over the top of your wellies, then its too deep.

Finished spreading it yesterday and lincsyokel2 estimate was not far off so fortunately no squidging.

Just a follow up question. We won't be planting anything out for a couple of weeks at least, probably a lot more for the melons and water melons for example. Would you leave the muck on top or dig it in now. I was erring on the side of leaving it partly to keep any weeds coming up in the meantime but mainly to give my back a rest  ::)

Cheers.

[1066]

I'd give your back a rest!! And when you come to plant out just pop some more manure in the planting holes.
I covered part of my plot last year with about 4" of manure and grew pumpkins on it. And with that and the weed supressant it killed off 99% of the weeds and the soil this year is looking great  :)

And can I just say - ooooo water mellons! Yum!

[buzzy bee]

I put a layer of about 6" of muck over the allotment, at about the autum time.  It has all now been dug in, and I will add the same next autum.  I use a mix of sheep, cow and a little pig, which goes through a seperater, making the muck lovely and dry, and not smelly, all the slurry goes in the tank, of which I may add a bit to the water butt, to work as liquid fertilizer.  What do you think?

Cheers

[Busy Bee]

I also covered my plot with roughly the same amount last year and have just finished diging it in . Took me almost a week but so glad it's done now.  I'm growing squash and pumpkins in there this year too so am hoping for a good crop. can anyone else give me some ideas of whats best to grow in there. i know roots shouldn't go in.
Happy plotting everyone  :)

[1066]

Hi Busy Bee - I read on here that sweetcorn likes rich soil - I'm going to try and see if it works out ok. Also I reckon Beans wouldn't object to it! And of course there are always courgettes........

Good luck  :D

1066

[goodlife]

I also covered my plot with roughly the same amount last year and have just finished diging it in .  can anyone else give me some ideas of whats best to grow in there.

If you feel adventurous...cover area with black plastic, plant some watermelon through it, water them in..some sort of raised clear plastic cover over and hope that we get half decent summer....... ;)

[goodlife]

Oh my...just thought of it......I cleared some ground for next winter to plant yet more apple trees ::)...I might try some watermelons myself.... ;D..I'm sure summer will be perfect.... ;D

[Busy Bee]

quote
Hi Busy Bee - I read on here that sweetcorn likes rich soil - I'm going to try and see if it works out ok. Also I reckon Beans wouldn't object to it! And of course there are always courgettes........

Good luck  :D

1066

Hi 1066
I'm going to try all of them and see how i go . If it likes rich soil it's going in that plot this after alll that spreading and digging.
Can you believe this weather !  Two weeks ago i couldn't dig as it was so wet, now the soil is cracking with the sun and wind.
Happy plotting up the road in Hastings   :D

Sharon

[1066]

I know it's like blummin concrete!!