Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: Riala on May 27, 2009, 11:55

Title: Area covered
Post by: Riala on May 27, 2009, 11:55

So, I have been trying to work out how much area can be covered by 25kg of manure, and I am at a complete loss.

How do I work it out?

I currently have 5ft x 5ft area dug, and I plan to make this 15ft by 5ft.

Title: Re: Area covered
Post by: Trillium on May 27, 2009, 15:21

I'm not mathematically inclined, but if I were doing it, once the larger bed is ready, I'd divide the manure bag in half and try to evenly spread it over the entire area. By then I'd know if I'd done it evenly or had missed spots. Then use the second half to fill in missed spots and lightly 2nd dress the first areas covered. Works well and I didn't need a calculator  ;) :D

Title: Re: Area covered
Post by: pumpkinpatch on May 27, 2009, 15:48

i really don't have a clue because im dyslexic but id just advise you to put as much as you like on there as long as you can get some more

Title: Re: Area covered
Post by: Kristen on May 27, 2009, 15:59

If I make a wild assumption that Manure weighs the same as Water then:

25 kg will be 25 Litres

5ft x 5ft is 1/3rd of 15ft x 5ft.  So if we work out for 5ft x 5ft it will be only 1/3rd as deep if spread over the whole area :)

5ft x 5ft is 2.3 Sq.M - so Google tells me if I put in:

5 feet * 5 feet in square metres =

and again using Google:

25 litres / 2.3 square metres =

a little over a CM - so less than 1/2" (over the 5' x 5' area).

If manure is heavier than water it will be even thinner, if its lighter than water then it will cover more thickly.

Either way, I doubt that 25kg is enough :(

Title: Re: Area covered
Post by: oldbean on May 27, 2009, 17:35

In round figures, it will cover about 1-1/2 to 2 times the area of a 50litre bag of compost. You will need 4 to 5 bags minimum.

Title: Re: Area covered
Post by: Riala on May 27, 2009, 17:35

Thanks oldbean, that is what I needed to know.

Title: Re: Area covered
Post by: oldbean on May 27, 2009, 21:33

However, I've just done a bit more thinking, and I'd get 10 bags. My figure of 4-5 bags was too low. If you don't use it all now, it will be useful later.

Title: Re: Area covered
Post by: Riala on May 27, 2009, 21:43

Thanks oldbean. 

I think I am going to leave it this year, save up, and get 10+ bags next year.  Least I know roughly the coverage now though!

Title: Re: Area covered
Post by: Stree on May 27, 2009, 23:15

25 kilo is about enough to mix into two dustbins of soil. You need to get a ton to make a difference,  It stinks, but makes you smile eventually..