fresh horse manure – how long does it need before planting in?

[ozzywhl]

Just a quick question.

I have a local stables that I can get manure from, i guess it will be pretty fresh, if I put that on top of my soil how long would it need before I could plant in it?

thanks,

Ozzy

[Karen]

Heya Ozzy… as far as I know when you see the compost worms in the horse manure (get a hand shovel and look under the horse manure…)… it means it´s pretty safe to use or when u see tiny weeds emerging from the horse manure… it means it´s well rotted down.

[Rhys]

Ozzy – too late for this year, but in past years I’ve top dressed no-dig beds with horse manure from stables in late October – late November and it has been perfect for growing potatoes in the spring. I’ve done similar for where I”ve sown peas in early March and asparagus grew superbly in the spring after coating the bed in late autumn. It doesn’t seem to harm comfrey or rhubarb either.

If you’re starting now, it may be worth building a big heap to let the heat generate quickly and then, once it’s cooled down top dress your beds?

[ozzywhl]

hi Rhys & Karen.

Thanks for getting back, do you think if I was planting something later, say in mid late may it would still be too late?

thanks,

Ozzy

[Karen]

Hey Ozzy…

as Rhy suggested… perhaps put the lot of horse manure in a big heap and then wait for a month and then turn the heap… would help quicken the composting..

[ozzywhl]

ok i will hold it back for next year, just a lot cheaper than compost.. best, alex

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