Allotments 4 All

I've got a load of horse manure in a compost bin but there seems to be a difference of opinion on either , keeping the top open so the rain will wash the urine out. or keeping it covered to keep the lot dry!! it's covered at the moment and I'd be grateful for any advice.

I'd cover it or the goodness will leach out.

covered - kept damp... doesnt want to be too dry i shouldnt think.

I have quite a few (30) plastic sacks of hose manure from 3 month to 7 months old, which will of aged nicely by winter (i think). How much should be added to the soil. The bags are roughly medium bin bag size and weigh about 25-30 Kg

Cover it, you want the urine!

Absolutely, cover it - especially when the horse manure is mostly wood chips, at least they have some horse pee in them. I can get a regular supply, so layer it in the compost heap along with everything else, but will use neat when planting spuds. As a no-digger I don't dig it into the soil, but apply the rich compost as mulch, or plant into it - up to two inches if I have enough.

I was told that horse maure should be well rotted before using it for spuds - one week after I dug a whole load in.

The spuds taste "better than shop bought" according to my wife, now she realises what I've been doing !

thanks, i'll keep it covered. theres always a difference of opinion with the people at the plot. sometimes i think they just want a debate.