[gavinjconway]

Hi All - what would the best way (and cheapest solution) be of introducing ammonium nitrates to the soil that is  mixed with dug in horse manure with shavings to replace the AN used to break it down? 

[azubah]

I doubt that you would need to add any more nitrogen. There is plenty in horse pee. In fact there is plenty in pee in general if you want a cheap supply!

[solway cropper]

Why does your soil need ammonium nitrate?

If you have fresh manure with wood shavings just leave it in a pile and allow it to rot down. If you put too much nitrogen in the soil you'll end up with lots of lush leafy growth and very little else.

[gavinjconway]

It's just that I have already added and dug it in as I dont have any old stuff yet.. I wat told it uses nitrogen to break down the shavings.. 

[JayG]

Wood shavings and other high carbon materials lack the nitrogen required to feed the micro-organisms which break them down, so they "borrow" it from their surroundings (although most of it is eventually returned.)

I think it really depends on the proportion of wood shavings in your horse muck - if low I wouldn't add anything, if high you could use a light dressing of ammonium sulphate, which is much more readily available than ammonium nitrate.

[gavinjconway]

Wood shavings and other high carbon materials lack the nitrogen required to feed the micro-organisms which break them down, so they "borrow" it from their surroundings (although most of it is eventually returned.)

I think it really depends on the proportion of wood shavings in your horse muck - if low I wouldn't add anything, if high you could use a light dressing of ammonium sulphate, which is much more readily available than ammonium nitrate.

Thanks JG... I've been looking for AN... didn't realise it was different in this country.. I'll go find some as there is quite a lot of shavings with this lot that has been delivered.. But it's free and all nicely bagged so cant complain..