Stable Waste

[Plot 33]

I have spread all of my usable compost at my allotment for the time being. I have access to masses of fresh stable waste as we get a delivery from a local stable. Usually I mix it in to my compost bins with my home grass clippings, veg peelings etc and it seems to work quite well if a bit slowly. It consists of straw,wood shavings and horse muck/urine. I have spread it (raw) on a couple of very weedy beds which have not been worked for a while and was thinking of growing some annual flowers for cutting. My worries are about the lack of nitrogen in the soil while the wood shavings break down. I will be growing the flowers in plugs at home, so they don’t need to be planted out for a couple of months. An idea of mine is to carve out channels in the decomposing stable waste and filling with compost which will become available in about 10 weeks, before planting the plugs . Any thoughts? will it work?

[charles]

I would give it a go, the devil is always in the detail such as how much wood shavings is in the manure, and how much compost you spread in the channels. Sometimes one has to try things and it sounds possible, if not ideal. It will be interesting of you take a photo of what you use, in terms of compost/manure, and of the results.

[Plot 33]

Thank you for the encouragement! I was at your talk at the Garden Museum on Tuesday as was interested when you mentioned that you had heard of someone who spread wood chippings (I think) and that it took 3 years to clear the weeds/decompose and be suitable for planting in.

I was going to get some composted green waste from my local authority recycling site, but they have’t had any recently, hence using what is to hand. I could cover the area with cardboard or fabric, but that would mean that I can’t grow anything there. I have been meaning to grow some flowers for cutting anyway, so annuals seemed to be a good idea. My thought is to make channels filled with compost of about a hand span to plant into. So in effect – mini beds! I will keep you posted.

[Mandy]

If you add a few handfuls of high nitrogen fertilizer – 14.0.0, or coffee grounds to Straw or Wood chippings they break down really fast. I get coffee grounds from my local bar – thay are only too happy to give the stuff away. In addition, my husband pees on it – when the neighbours aren´t looking!

[Author]

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