[brenda]

Hello everyone!
Im looking for some adivce about manure. I have a polytunnel about a year now, last year I went a bit mad with the seeds!! I have calmed down now and I am ready to get my tunnel growing again. I have cleared out the tunnel but I was wondering what would be the best type of all round fertilser/feed to put into the soil to suit all vegetables. I live in a farming area and I have hens I can also get horse manure from the local stables, would any of these be recommended.

[andreadon]

yes, both should be good.

I think the general rule is that you can put them straight onto the ground if you're not going to use it for a month or so (so that it can get into the soil and isn't too rich).
I put my chicken stuff straight onto my pumpkins' and courgettes' soil, which is good, but the nitrogen can burn more delicate plants.

If it's rotted down (been around for a while or in the compost) then you can put it straight onto the veg.

[mumofstig]

Both chicken and horse manure need to be composted before use. But if you can find a pile of horse manure that's already been piled up for a while you can use that straight away. As i've written that a memory has popped into my head of my mum collecting the poo from the coal delivery cart as it was deposited and putting it straight onto the rhubarb That never suffered so ..........what do i know

[woodburner]

Do remember to do a test for pyralid first! 

[Sweet Pea 2]

How do you do the test?  I have put some (about 4 bags) of well rotted manure on my allotment, but would like to do this test before getting any more from the same stables.

[woodburner]

Click here for the method.

[rainbow1]

Click here for the method.

please could you re-post the link. I can't seem to get it to work. Sorry and thank you!

[woodburner]

Sorry, don't know what happened there. 
Clicky

[brenda]

Thanks for the advice I will take it on board. I have seen in gardening shops bags of granule organic feed, would this be a good option? Im looking for something that could be used for a wide range of vegetables.
Mumofstig, I also remember when I was little, the rag and bone man coming round on a horse and cart and  the neighbours collecting the manure for their roses and allotments Im originally from London.

[mumofstig]

Mumofstig, I also remember when I was little, the rag and bone man coming round on a horse and cart and  the neighbours collecting the manure for their roses and allotments Im originally from London.

Me too born under bow belles... so a proper cockney, not a pretend one like Jamie

[Stripey_cat]

Stable and farm manure is mostly to improve the soil condition: it's not an intensive fertiliser.  Chicken, on the other hand, is very rich but has less humus.

[mikem]

Thanks for the advice I will take it on board. I have seen in gardening shops bags of granule organic feed, would this be a good option? Im looking for something that could be used for a wide range of vegetables.
Mumofstig, I also remember when I was little, the rag and bone man coming round on a horse and cart and  the neighbours collecting the manure for their roses and allotments Im originally from London.

Neighbours didn't get a look in near us, but did you also get a goldfish from the rag & bone man? 

[mumofstig]

did you also get a goldfish from the rag & bone man?   
Posted by: Stripey_cat 

Yes us kids used to collect rubbish from the road untill we had enough for a goldfish.........we were poor.....but happy days

[brenda]

We were too afraid to go near him in case he took us away!! 

[alfman]

 Keep in mind that fresh manure is no good for root veg. Makes them fork. Also don't put it on daffs, it stops them flowering.