For those that have to buy the stuff can I ask what sort price you pay?
I have just been quoted £150 for 20tons,it sounds fair to me-any views?.
It`s cow and good quality.
Stephan.
One lorry or 2?
Hi Eric
Never thought to ask, the last time I bought in large amounts I got 9tons of mushroom compost and that was a fair sized trailer so I would guess two.
Stephan.
We pay between 30 and 40 for a lorry to deliver plus whatever we want delivering.
Sounds pretty good to me. We stick to 'horse' for the usual reasons - about £8 for a 6'x4' trailer.
Mushroom last time was £73 for 2200litres, delivered. IE 3x craneable builder's/nursery bags. = Tim
OK thanks Eric and Tim,I thought it sounded reasonable.
And for all lottie friends who may read this and think the quanities sound a bit much remember that you can always pool together. Buying in bulk is so much cheaper than buying `penny` packets.
Stephan.
WOW that is a lot of poo! :o
yep - we shifted two truckloads last august - steaming day with rising poo fumes - had to stand on top as the entire back of pick-up was piled high...twice. worth it tho but do find out whether the load can be tipped onto or at least near to your plot as that is an awful lot of barrowing - we could only get to the fence on our site, hence the standing on the horse heap to chuck shovelfuls over fence to waiting barrow - many hours work!!
Tons? Trailers? Well, I just bought it by the wheelbarrow @ 75 Euro cents. Couldn't even load them up as hight as I wanted for fear of tipping over, boo-oo. -ina
- what about a trailer for your bicycle? - they make them! = Tim
I get mine free, but I do have to bag it up and deliver it myself. It's useful being into both riding and gardening!
I have recently bought 2 trailer loads of Cow manure from a local farmer @ £20 per load delivered.
Piglet
A quick update on the cow poo,four days and goodness knows how many barrow loads later I am starting the think those men in white coats should be coming for me as well. ;D
Why do I do it????
Stephan.
Is it all finished now Stephan?
No-nowhere near!!!
Or far, as the case may be Steph! ;D ;D ;D
Kate
I WISH I could find a decent source of manure. I have to make do with whatever compost i can make myself. Tis though doesnt go very far, and cant spare any for the beds and borders as a general mulch (veggies and individual plants get priority), much as I'd love to, knowing how important soil health is.
My local lotties always get one big delivery each year, and I wonder if whoever supplies it would supply me and how much they would charge if so. I keep on meaning to do something about it each year but never do. Maybe this year............ :-/
Richard it is worth hitting the phone book and calling all your local farmers.thats how I got my £20 load! they are usually pleased to be rid of it, and make a pound or two. ;) DP
Nother thought Richard, talk to your fellow lotties, might be able to join in. Like Cleo said, worth sharing in bulk buying!
Kate
???Muddy, I am a Plottie not a Lottie. I dont have an allotment I just go past the local ones regularly thats all.
Might be worth plucking up the courage to ask whre they get their manure from though. Thanks :)
Definitely worth a try Richard, cos they probably end up with a little more than they need! Judging by everyone here, they're probably quite friendly and would be glad to help out for the amount you might need
Kate
Thats it, I have just asked Ava if he would call some local farms and stables to see if we can get some poo. He is a good talker, has the gift of the gab that one. We get our maure at the moment from a stables in Surrey where they heap it up outside and you just help yourself. This is okay, but living in Essex, it means the poo has to travel all the way home in the boot, and ooooooooooo it pongs! And we can only do this when we go see my mummy. Anyhows....will let you know how we get on.
EJ - why Surrey? There must be loads of stables near you. The highest density of horses in this country are in a town in Essex (I've forgotten which, though). Or failing that - come to my stables - they let you bag it up and take away for free.
I hope you are not shifting poo in the dark though! Wouldn't like to stumble onto that!
stripy white and yellow vans on their way to you...
Ten x
Used to know someone with horses. They would (when asked) come around and drop some off for us. Never that much, but the thought was there. Then they moved away and the surce dried up. Havetried to set up similar arrangement with another 'horsey' person we know, but nothing has materialised yet. :( Again not as much as i would like, so perhaps not worth the trouble.
I once learned the lesson about letting manure mature the hard way. Some years ago we arranged a one off delivery of manure to our old house. Not knowing (then) about letting the stuff mature I promptly used some of it in a trench for planting raspberry canes into. The canes did OK; For one season! then died, apparently scorched by the manure. Other plantings mulched with this stuff also suffered. Didnt do THAT again. ;D
Why Surrey, well, we pass the stables on the way to mums, it is free poo, and in this neck of the woods they charge 50p plus for quite a smallish bag. Am I mean I wonder? There are stables everywhere, it is just a matter of getting Ava's act together for him ;D
Okey dokey EJ, I have pulled my finger out.......good job you reminded me........
I have just looked up the local stables on the Internet (looked on http://www.horseweb-uk.com/stables/essx.htm (this is the Essex page, there are others there) ).
Phoned the local one to us...............and they said......no problem......pop round......only thing is they like you to come and collect........but I am sure others will do other things........
.......you have nothing to lose and poo to gain........ ::)
Just keep a sense of proportion ; :-/ 20 tons sounded great but it soon becomes a bleeding nightmare.
Will be looking forward to a back rub on chat soon ;)
Anon
Cor, see what happened, I mentioned a little job for Ava here and he went and sorted it! Poo arranged!
Okay Ava, cloches please ;)
The boot of my car is all geared up with large plastic sheet on floor, one fine tine fork, heavy jacket and gloves, several heavy duty large plastic bags and a ball of string for tying off. Never get any odours when running my daughter back from the stables. I put the muck on as a mulch this time of year and the weather softens it before the planting season starts.
QuoteJust keep a sense of proportion ; :-/ 20 tons sounded great but it soon becomes a bleeding nightmare.
Will be looking forward to a back rub on chat soon ;)
Anon
20 tons!
The question "why do you need so much?" springs to mind. ???