[vegmandan]

I've just managed to get an unlimited supply of 3+ year old well rotted horse muck.

It's such good stuff it's almost 50% earthworms and completely black.

My question is how much can you put on in 1 go ,i.e can I add too much ?

I'm thinking of putting about a 2 inch layer on the whole plot as I've not put any on for a couple of years.

Or can I add it in unlimited amounts ?
 :?

[Aidy]

If its well rotted chuck it on, so long as its nice and crumbly the roots shouldnt have to much trouble. jammy.

[paintedlady]

Virtually all plants will really benefit from adding a lot of the well rotted manure EXCEPT where you intend planting carrots & parsnips!

[paul meese]

Hello, Dan, put loads on mate, i grow show omion,s, biggest one 5lbs, this year. My personal record. Horse muck i find best, then in spring blood fish & bone. That work,s for me, i hope you do grow that 10lb er, good luck to you mate

[paullewis]

EXCEPT where you intend planting carrots & parsnips!

sorry for my ignorance, but why?

[paintedlady]

Parsnips & carrots don't respond too well to too much nitrogen in the soil     If you read the instructions on seed packets, they always recommend not to sow on freshly manured soil for this reason.

[peapod]

to add to this thread..

Will I be able to mulch my beds with manure..and not dig it in? Its rotted, but not fully.  Theres also weeds (not the nasties) on the bed that I cant get out because its basically a swimming pool at the mo, can I mulch straight on top of them?

Paula

[gobs]

You can, but be warned it shall never dry out...

[peapod]

ok thanks gobs

I knew I couldnt get away with it easy!

paula

[muntjac]

equation is simple ... 1 barrow load to the yard as you dig the trench,,, grow tatties first then brasicals n then carrots n the  salads as well ."werks fer me"  

[Sadgit]

yorkshire dales huh?? tad too far to drop a lorry loads off in Middlesbrough I guess??

[ck2day]

I have a never ending supply of the stuff courtesy of 2 ponies, can I put this years onto my veg garden, dig it in and then plant in the spring or is it going to be too "fresh" and require rotting down some more?

Claire

[Sadgit]

I have a never ending supply of the stuff courtesy of 2 ponies, can I put this years onto my veg garden, dig it in and then plant in the spring or is it going to be too "fresh" and require rotting down some more?

Claire

thats what I did last year.. got some fresh stuff delivered in October and dug (rotorvated) it in and left it breakdown over the winter ready for spring.

[Nogger]

according to form you should not use manure for carrotts parsnips and other root veg,if you do you will have all types of misshaped veg, it causes restriction to root growth

[Trillium]

It also makes snips and carrots grow lots of 'hairy' roots.

For mulching with manure, in my drier summer climate I find it dries out too quickly and makes a hard crust....but below, it's teeming with worms. If you're prone to wet summers, just go easy on the manure mulch lest it get too mushy. Only things I'll top dress well with manure is my fruit trees and onions.