[Weston grower]

I've just been given about 10 barrow loads of horse manure with the promise of more if I want it. First thing I've done is set up a aminopropylid(rubbish spelling) test with some broad beans. edit(aminopyralid I meant)

Next I need to work out how much I can use. I will be spreading it everywhere except next years carrot and parsnip bed and leaving it to rot until early next year when I dig it in.

I've had a good look round and cant find anywhere that says how much to use per sq metre?

What do you think?  

Regards, WG

[Lardman]

I am of a mind that you can never put too much pooh in - especially at this time of the year.  I wouldn't stop until it was 3-4inches deep across the plot 

[PAULW]

I always manure the ground where I am going to plant the potatoes then the following year I plant leeks and onions where the spuds where then anything else is planted in that ground on the third year, this way the allotment gets a good load of manure spread over three years by the way I don't just use the muck but put loads of straw with it this introduces plenty of humus into your soil.

[AlaninCarlisle]

About this time of year I put about a barrow-load per 2 square metres other than where I'm going to grow parsnip and rotavate it in in Spring. I'm fortunate as we have a couple of horses so I know there are no herbicides or other chemicals anywhere near it. The stuff I use is usually last years so it's fairly well rotted to start with.

Tip: If you have a choice and your soil is heavy< use manure from a stable that uses sawdust for bedding the mixture of sawdust and muck really opens up the soil

[Weston grower]

Thanks everyone. I'll get spreading as soon as it passes its test. 

Regards WG

[Trillium]

When I get lots, I'll spread about a barrow load per square metre, otherwise, it's a barrow load per 2 square metres.

My soil is serious clay and come spring, the spread manure is full of worms. Because of this, its best to rotovate on a cold day when the worms have gone deep into the soil and won't be harmed.

[Plottered]

Thanks everyone. I'll get spreading as soon as it passes its test. 

Regards WG

how long does the test take please....im going to do the same shortly.

[ex-cavator]

Thanks everyone. I'll get spreading as soon as it passes its test. 

Regards WG

how long does the test take please....im going to do the same shortly.

Can you please tell me what this test is, so I can do it? 

[arugula]

The bean test: described here and in other places on the forum:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=18430.msg896676#msg896676

 

[Weston grower]

Thanks again everyone.

WG