Hi - have done a search but there seems to be conflicting advice... I have a load of horse manure that I have put into raised beds. It didnt smell, but did have some straw and was quite lumpy - not like compost. It had a few (not many) worms in it.
I had asked for well rotted stuff but am now worried that it is too fresh and my new plants (when I've sown them) wont like it. Any thoughts on this gratefully accepted
thanks!
Thanks Tee Gee - yes I am intending to dig it in and guess from what you say that I shouldnt think about putting seeds into those beds - just plants? Do plants like pumpkins and courgettes like manure (does it still have to be well rotted) ?
First time I've ever used manure (my second year) and noticed that another allotment holders manure looked older than stuff I got from same source....
Quoteguess from what you say that I shouldn't think about putting seeds into those beds - just plants?
No not really!!
What I meant was if you had laid your compost as a mulch you would not have a 'tilth' to sow in to.
Whereas with digging it in you should have, or it won't be a difficult matter to create a tilth
See here on sowing seeds outdoors (insitu); http://tinyurl.com/ynrjs5
QuoteDo plants like pumpkins and courgettes like manure (does it still have to be well rotted) ?
They certainly do and re the well rotted it doesn't matter so much with these providing it is not steaming hot. In fact some people including me grow theres on their compost heaps.
QuoteFirst time I've ever used manure (my second year) and noticed that another allotment holders manure looked older than stuff I got from same source....
This happens! a lot depends upon what part of the farmers pile yours has been selected from.
The farmer I get my manure has two heaps which gives him one heap that has been rotting for 6months + and the other heap is from the present up to 6 months old.
Because I have dealt with him so long and as I place the order for the other allotmenteers on our plot we have an understanding as to what we want so generally there is very little variation in each of the loads.
QuoteIf I may for your benefit and the benefit of other newbies I would suggest you read up about WHY we use manures and fertilisers on our plots.
I know you are aware that you have to put manures and fertilisers on your plot but I get feeling you don't know why? or how often to put them on, and I am quite sure you are not alone in this thought.
On this site there are a number of people who have their own websites with loads of good well tried methods in them.
Their methods are invariably their own experience/s and can be more useful and down to earth (no pun intended) than say text books.
I am hoping that these website holders will reply to this thread with their site address and let the newbies (and me) take it from there.
So for starters this is my website; http://tinyurl.com/yn57zu
and to be more specific to this thread here is info on;
Fertilisers; http://tinyurl.com/2cwym3
Compost; http://tinyurl.com/36j587
I hope the above clarifies my original reply.
TG