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Sive Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1731 Location: Co.Wexford
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject: Horse Manure |
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Help! My neighbour is very generously dumping a load of brilliant horse manure into my garden and so far I'm not getting any smell off it at all.....does this mean it is safe to use? (he thinks it's about 9 months old) I've never used horse manure before, so any advice as to where I can use it......in the vegetable beds? Do I dig it into flower beds or put it on as a mulch?
We are a perfect match....he's delighted to be getting rid of it, and I'm delighted to be getting it! |
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Liparis Rank attained: Orchard owner

Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 651 Location: Co. Meath
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, go ahead and use it, great stuff horse muck. Use it as a mulch on your flower/shrub beds and dig it into your veg plot. It's always better to dig in manure in autumn or early winter, but what the heck, it's already lain for a while. Don't manure the patch your growing your root crops in though, they really don't like freshly manured ground, whether it's spring or winter manured. You can give them a piece of ground next year that you manure now and grow a different crop in.
Bill. _________________ Earth is the insane asylum of the Universe.
http://www.species-specific.com/orchid-forum/ |
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Sive Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1731 Location: Co.Wexford
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Bill....by root crops I presume you also mean potatoes? |
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Moggi Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 11 Jan 2009 Posts: 19 Location: Donegal
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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Hi dont know about the spuds but definitely carrots and parsnips as I think they "fork" in freshly manured soil. _________________ Moggi |
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Sive Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1731 Location: Co.Wexford
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:56 am Post subject: |
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Thanks moggi.......does anyone know whether manure is a bad idea for potatoes, as the husband is about to plant his potatoes this week ?? |
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James Kilkelly Rank: Site Admin

Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2173 Location: West of Ireland
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Michael196 Rank attained: Silver Birch Tree


Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 194 Location: WEXFORD
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:13 am Post subject: |
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hi Sive
just referencing the Dr Hessayon Vegtable and herb expert books here,
Roots: potatoes beetroot, carrot, artichoke, chicory, parsnip, salsify, ...
it says do not manure, but I reckon thats fresh manure, . it says manure in in winter or autumn and allow to compost down
so I guess if your stuff does not smell , is 9 months old, and the texture is closer to compost, rather than fresh manure, then you could proceed . use the most decomposed parts closeset to where you are going to sow.
i used fresher bagged manure last year and grew parsnips etc in it, absolute disaster !!!
if you think it is crumbly enough and decomposed enough then use away, if parts are still fresh and not decomposed , then set these aside ( into a composter )
hope this helps |
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Sive Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1731 Location: Co.Wexford
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:21 am Post subject: |
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Thanks everyone, I'm beginning to grasp the principles involved and as we don't grow parsnips or carrots (yet!) I won't have to worry about that. Covering the manure with soil sounds logical, so we'll do that.
Youngest son and friend (both 25 ) are giving us a couple days' labour, which is as exciting as the heap of dung in the garden !...my job will be to feed the troops I think, and admire the results, and sleep well tonight with no aching muscles!
Perfect bliss! |
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Liparis Rank attained: Orchard owner

Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 651 Location: Co. Meath
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:52 am Post subject: |
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Yep, GPI's right, the potatoes won't mind the manure as long as there's an inch or two of soil on top as it really does cause potato scab. Potato scabbed spuds are OK to eat, the scab peels off no problem, but it will affect their keeping and storing qualities. Eat the scabbed potatoes and store the clean ones.
Bill. _________________ Earth is the insane asylum of the Universe.
http://www.species-specific.com/orchid-forum/ |
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