[peapod]

where are you in lancashire mod?

[Bombers]

I wonder how many other people there are, like me, who happily covered the plot with manure this year with their fingers crossed that it wouldn't happen to them..... I really am so sorry if thats the case Modfather. Keep faith, and good luck.

[TheModfather]

Yes, you can test for it. It involves growing several pots of broad beans and monitoring them for 4 weeks. I found this on the DOW website:

"Testing manure

   1. Thoroughly mix 1 part manure with 1 part multi-purpose compost in a clean bucket. Prepare enough to fill four 5-inch pots.
   2. Fill another four clean pots solely with multi-purpose compost. These will be the untreated comparisons.
   3. Place each of the pots in a separate saucer to prevent water from one pot reaching another.
   4. Water the pots and leave to stand for 24 hours.
   5. Plant each pot with four broad bean seeds.
   6. Observe subsequent growth for a four-week period and note any ill effects in the pots containing the manure mix, such as cupped leaves and fernlike growth on new shoots.

These symptoms may indicate aminopyralid residue in the manure. Signs of other kinds of damage will most likely indicate other issues such as damping off or bacteria-infected soil, etc."

I'll have a go this weekend anyway. But I know, its so annoying!!!

My plan is to just to completely empty the raised beds next year and refill them a fresh mixture of topsoil and compost. Potentially very costly though!

[peapod]

Thats why I asked where you were.....theres a decent topsoil supplier near me in Burnley (Thomas Ainsworth) that have it at a good price and a good service. They do deliver but I dont know how far

[TheModfather]

where are you in lancashire mod?

5 miles north of Lancaster. I dont want to cause a regional scare! Lol

[TheModfather]

Ye. Cheers. I bought 6 tonnes of soil conditioner off the council earlier in the month. Now mainly contaminated though!!! Thanks for the info peapod - I will look into it!

[Aunt Sally]

Can you go back to the farmer who owns the cows and find out if they had indeed eating grass treated with it.

He probably won't admit it though

[TheModfather]

Can you go back to the farmer who owns the cows and find out if they had indeed eating grass treated with it.

He probably won't admit it though

I could do. Its my mates farm. I dont want to get him in trouble though. I doubt he would have knowingly used it.

[Bombers]

Isn't that the problem though, they could unknowingly import it via foodstuff?

[Parsnip]

Isn't that the problem though, they could unknowingly import it via foodstuff?

Exactly...and yes I'm thinking about the manure I've had delivered two weeks ago



You are very cool about it Modfather I have to say... I don't think I would be..

[TheModfather]

I'm trying to keep my cool. I know that it can all be OK for next year after I remove all the infected soil and replace it. Until then I can only hope for the best. I do have some reserve broad beans and peas however the potatoes are gonners!

Can you still buy potatoes at this time to plant??? ...so as i can start again

[peapod]

Havea look at wilkos and local garden centres. If the worst comes to the worst ask on here, hopefully someone will have some spare

[TheModfather]

Ye. Wilkos seem to be pretty good. Will have a look tomorrow. So used to getting them early on - never need to think about it at this time of year usually

[Robin Redbreast]

i will deffo have some spare seconds and main so if you struggle pm me your address and i will send you what i dont plant hope that helps i am not using farm manure ever luckily there are horses on our allotments and i can get my hands on enough manure to sink the titanic twice over!

[peapod]

Nice offer ala....err Robin

Ill get used to it!