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We are lucky at our site as we get a free delivery of bagged up horse manure. The stuff is fresh and comes with lots of wood shavings. I am told that it should be stacked for a year or so, so I'm building big heaps of it mixed with grass clippings and other bits of compost.

So far so good -but being Mr. Impatient, and having a couple of no-dig beds with spuds in that need lots of mulch, can I get away with using it fresh?

I also have a couple of mounds that I'm planning on putting pumpkins in soon, maybe into holes filled with soil in the top of the mounds.

All comments gratefully accepted,

Jeremy

The advice I was given, relayed from the Soil Association,  (on poultry manure, actually)  was that it's a Bad Move to use really fresh muck - the recommendation is 3 months old minimum as a mulch.

Jeremy, I may be wrong but as your horse poo is mixed with wood shavings rather than straw, I think you will have to allow somewhat longer rotting down time than with straw.  The wood shavings take quite a bit longer to break down.

No doubt someone who really knows will help more knowledgeably  :D

That is how I grow my pumpkins, and have huge ones!   :o ahem...pumpkins I mean!  Big pile o' poo, little hole in the top, fistful of compost, in goes pumpkin plant, and away they go!

I agree with MB, wood takes longer to break down that straw, and I wouldn't use fresh anywhere other than with my pumpkins as when it is steamy and hot, just think of the damage it will do to your seedlings!  :o

Thanks all,

Emma I was going to say things about, pumpkins, melons, squash &c. but as a new boy I thought I'd better behave, it would be a shame to get kicked out so soon :) Glad to hear that pumpkins work that way -my daughter will be pleased come October.

BTW never having, successfully, grown pumpkins before do you get just one/plant or can you go for several smaller ones?

I have a couple of rows of potatoes covered in grass clippings and then the poo -will be interesting to see if any come up.

Jeremy