[Stoobydoo]

Hi everyone, just got a massive pile of fresh manure after reading the very good post on Aminopyralid contamination (weed killer in wee) and am assured mine is ok but have started the recommended sample test. Now, should I cover my pile while it rots? I've asked around my allotment site and some do some don't with various explantions of why all of which seem credible but alas has left me up in the air. The yard it came from was covered, basically a massive roof on legs, open sided. My storage is a large corrugated iron three sided box. So, do I put a hat on it or not?    Stuey

[Carrotcake]

I expect you'll get lots of different opinions on here too.

I would leave it open, put a thick layer of well rotted compost or soil on it and plant a courgette or squash on top 

[granjan]

I agree with Carrotcake.  I've grown the best courgettes in a situation like this. 

How about dividing it into two and covering one half then you would have the definitive answer

I think you'll find there are as many answers as there are gardeners 

[Stevens706]

I cover mine with old carpet

[Aunt Sally]

I cover mine with old carpet

Are you not bothered about the toxic chemicals which leach out of carpets ?

[spiderlyn]

Hi.. well as a keeper of a magnificent manure pile I would say don't cover it.  As it needs air & rain to help it rot down.

Best thing to do with it is, put it in your three sided box, then jump up and down on it, (Wellie on of course!) to make it as compact as you can.  That will keep all the warmth in and rot it down quicker.

As one or two other forum members on here know my horses manure pile is very well rotted... as I do as above.... jump up and down like billio!

[PAH48]

Hi..

 (Wellie on of course!

Hope you have at least a Sock on the other Foot.......       

[Carrotcake]

Careful, you're assuming Spiderlyn has another foot 

[whippersnapper]

Maybe it depends on the moisture content?

When i get mine, it's been out in the open on a high exposed field. It's wet, soggy, slimey and very heavy! So I cover it with black plastic like I would a compost heap, which helps to dry it out a little making it more useable. 

[Stoobydoo]

Thanks to all who responded to my plight. I will leave it open and do a jig on top of it every now and then. My missus suggests "high heeled" wellies to prevent me from slipping off the five foot high pile!! Blinking cheek, I'd probably get duffed up off the other tenants. Once again, many thanks.      Stuey

[spiderlyn]

Careful, you're assuming Spiderlyn has another foot 

ok... I forgot a "S"... LOL...

Maybe it depends on the moisture content?

When i get mine, it's been out in the open on a high exposed field. It's wet, soggy, slimey and very heavy! So I cover it with black plastic like I would a compost heap, which helps to dry it out a little making it more useable. 

our pile is also on a high exposed field wet, soggy & slimey... but I wouldn't say it was heavy..  as it is, it is very useable.. we don't use straw.. I use Hemp... so its really easy to dig in

[JayG]

I use Hemp... so its really easy to dig in

Hope that doesn't make your runner beans stringy! 

[spiderlyn]

LOL.. jay.... NO!.. no of the old gang have complained!  they keep coming back for more  well not for the past 15 years... must be all the jumping up and down!

[whippersnapper]

spiderlyn

not sure what you're getting at but i tend to find when something's loaded with water it becomes very heavy, compared with when it's dry. I almost broke my back last time i went up to the heap.

it's also difficult to dig in and incorporate when it's that wet. that's why I dry it out a bit first.

[spiderlyn]

spiderlyn

not sure what you're getting at but i tend to find when something's loaded with water it becomes very heavy, compared with when it's dry. I almost broke my back last time i went up to the heap.

it's also difficult to dig in and incorporate when it's that wet. that's why I dry it out a bit first.

I suppose it depends on the bedding used??? IE.. straw hold onto the water for longer... and shavings... well don't even go there!   Hemp is more absorbent.. but does not hold on to  the the water for long...  Ohh.. I really don't know how to put it really?.. Hemp rots down very quickly.. and as it does.. the water content goes down.. if that makes sense?  Manure is still moist.. but not wet or heavy.. its more soil like..

sorry to hear you nearly broke your back maybe you need to find someone local to you, who uses hemp?  Happy diggin... Spiderlynxx