Well rotted manure
There have been some problems with manure since 2008 so please read this warning
What is manure?
Manure comes from any animal or plant material but is generally animal
excreta with litter material. Another name for this is farm yard manure.
Horse manure, pig manure and cow manure are all equally valuable. The
litter material varies, & some is more beneficial than others. For
example, horses can be kept on straw litter, sawdust or shredded paper.
Manure from straw is probably the best.
well-rotted-manure
What is “well rotted manure”?
*Well rotted manure* is manure which has decomposed to become a sweet
smelling, crumbly mixture with very few viable weed seeds.
rotted-manure-pieces
well-rotted-FYM
The manure will rot if it is left in a heap, and kept damp (although it
is better to keep the rain off it, to avoid getting too wet.). As it
rots, it heats up, and may steam. The heat produced kills off many of
the weed seeds it contains. The rotting process usually takes a year. It
is important to contain any liquid that seeps out of the heap, and to
prevent this liquid getting into drains, ditches or other water courses,
because it is very potent and will kill all the fish in the river. But
the liquid can be watered down and put on the garden, although avoid
physical contact with the vegetables.
Benefits of manure in the kitchen garden:
- Manure adds nutrients. It is very rich in nitrates, but also contains
potassium, phosphate, magnesium and trace elements. These nutrients will
feed the vegetables and help them grow. But the nutrients will also feed
the microflora and fauna in the soil which keep it healthy & generate
more nourishment for plants. - Manure improves soil structure:
* sandy soils will have greater moisture retention
* heavier soils will become more free-draining.
Application of manure to the vegetable garden
In the winter it is usual to spread 1 barrow load of manure per 5 square
yards. This is then mixed into the soil by digging. Most gardeners apply
too much manure.
Sources of manure for the vegetable plot
* Horse keepers often give it away free in plastic bags, because it
is a nuisance to them. Look for make-shift road signs advertising
horse manure.
* A compost heap in the garden is a good source of manure
* Many local councils give away , or sell, compost. Look on their
website.
* Garden centers sell different types of manure
manure-on-Blackberry
There have been some problems with manure since 2008 so please read this warning
