I know I should have done this in the Autumn,
but am I too late to dig in well rotted horse manure in three new beds now?
I was planning potatoes, onions, leeks, peas, beetroots,swedes, and carrots in them.
Thanks :)
and just to add to this thread... where can I get rotted manure from? All I see people get is fresh and let it rot down over time, but as Scoth Mist, I'm also late doing this...
I spread (or dig in) well rotted manure in any time of year I can get it, for any crop EXCEPT roots. Dug in in winter/spring, used as mulch in the hotter months.
If I get fresh manure, I spread it over undug/unweeded bits up to 6" deep and cover with weed suppressing material. That way, whilst it rots, its nutrients are soaking into the soil and the weeds are going nowhere.
If someone offers you manure, always say yes (you wouldn't want to offend them, would you? ;D ;D ;D)
Agree, get it on now for the beds suited. I spread about 2 tonmnes at the weekend in fact.
But also agree that it is no good for roots and I would also include peas as too rich a soil for peas can result in disease problems such as mildrew and can suppress flowering so reduce the crop.
Jerry
Common_clay,
The best places to get well rotted manure is from a place that keeps horses, eg, riding stables or if you know someone who has a horse or failing that yellow pages, and go down personally and talk to the person who runs the place,(seriously). I find it is harder for someone to say no when you are standing in front of them , smiling :)
supersprout & sanders89,
That's handy to know, I'm very fortunate that my cousin owns a riding school and will give me as much well rotted as I can shovel and as often as I want, pity you didn't live here as he tells me that nobody else has ever asked him for some and he can't give the stuff away.
Can I be presumptuous and ask would it be ok to grow peas in a bed separated by a path next to a bed with rotted in it or is this too close?
(The path is 2ft wide) and would this be ok for roots too or would they all be better in pots ?
Thanks for your patience ;D
Quote from: scotch-mist on March 23, 2006, 01:15:23
I'm very fortunate that my cousin owns a riding school and will give me as much well rotted as I can shovel and as often as I want, pity you didn't live here as he tells me that nobody else has ever asked him for some and he can't give the stuff away.
Don't tease scotch-mist :'( ;)
I reckon your peas will be fine! ;D