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Post by AJ on Sept 14, 2011 11:31:16 GMT
New neighbour behind me, has 4 horses, picks up droppings every day from field and drops them in a corner in my garden. I've told the other half it's better than winning the lottery, but she thinks otherwise ;D. The question is what's the best way of using them, obviously it needs to rot down, the only other material I have plenty of, are grass clippings. Should I build an enclosure, should I cover the heap as it progresses, should I add some shredded paper. What do u think  |
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Post by sweetpea on Sept 14, 2011 12:45:40 GMT
Every stable I have visited for manure the heap is always open to the elements although there is no reason why you couldn't cover a smaller heap. the only benefit I can think of by covering is that run off during rain will be lessened. Lucky you  ps happy birthday for the other day |
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Post by Cherry on Sept 14, 2011 13:17:42 GMT
If it is in a hidden corner, it could not be better, but when it is a big enough heap, it should be moved to rot down and make way for the next lovely pile. Put some evergreens in front of it to make it look tidy. I don't know if you have to cover it or not.
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Post by AJ on Sept 14, 2011 14:13:45 GMT
The way it's working at the moment is that dumps it in a corner and I throw some old grass clippings over it at the weekends, so I assume that will work fine. It's well out of sight, otherwise you know who would be on my back ;D
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Post by Geranium on Sept 14, 2011 18:15:54 GMT
My OH made a wooden bin for ours - he adds a layer to the compost bin occasionally, and we let the stuff in the bin rot down for at least 6 months before I use it to feed my roses. They love it! |
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Post by AJ on Sept 15, 2011 20:45:35 GMT
Hi there Geranium, yep I think the bins are the way forward, right so, thats another job on the ever increasing list of jobs to do ;D
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Post by Geranium on Sept 15, 2011 21:31:14 GMT
Hiya, AJ - nice to see you back with us, even though I just added to your list - sorry about that!  |
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Post by AJ on Sept 16, 2011 12:34:14 GMT
Hiya, AJ - nice to see you back with us, even though I just added to your list - sorry about that! You're forgiven this time ;D |
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Post by hywel on Sept 17, 2011 7:51:01 GMT
It's wonderful stuff. Lucky you |
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Post by AJ on Sept 17, 2011 21:59:06 GMT
It's wonderful stuff. Lucky you Hi there Hywel, Yep, I definately have struck gold there, filled 1 full bin today with 3 weeks of droppings and a small amount of grass clippings, bin size is a pallet high, wide and deep. It was good and steamy. Must take care not to fall out with my new neighbour ;D |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Sept 18, 2011 10:09:37 GMT
I get the same from my neighbour, I pile it up in my bins and let it rot down for 6-12 months. I don’t add anything else to mine as I have other compost bins for that. I have got mine covered with corrugated iron but that is only because of the grass snakes. I have found the compost can dry out too much if it is covered, mine breaks down a lot faster if the rain is allowed to keep it damp.
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Post by Louise on Sept 18, 2011 11:11:07 GMT
I read somewhere recently that you can use it fresh. What i can't remember is any more of the details  |
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Post by sweetpea on Sept 18, 2011 13:38:48 GMT
I read somewhere recently that you can use it fresh.What i can't remember is any more of the details i have used fresh when preparing sweetpea and runner bean trenches. Of course the plants don't go in for a few months. never had any problems. |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Sept 18, 2011 18:23:05 GMT
Same here SP, I will dig my runner bean trench this autumn/winter and fill it with fresh horse manure. The beans don't go in until next spring so I suppose it won't be that fresh by then. If you put fresh manure on a garden it can burn the plants (I think  ) |
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Post by Geranium on Sept 18, 2011 18:38:02 GMT
Yes, I'm sure you're right. I only put fresh manure into a trench ready for my sweet peas in the spring.
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