horse manure

Itoero · November 27, 2014

Is it wise to add fresh horse manure as mulch in my greenhouse?
to prepare the soil for next season...

amideutch · November 27, 2014

Been using it on my no-till raised bed for the last 5 years. As my bed is exposed to the elements and breaks down by planting time I don't know about your situation with your beds being under cover.

Ami

Cole_Robbie · November 27, 2014

It's a smart idea to test it for herbicide. All you have to do is grow a bean plant in a cup of it. If the leaves are not gnarled, then it's ok.

Dow chemical made a web site about contaminated manure: http://www.manurematters.com/na/en/

Itoero · November 28, 2014

Onb another forum, someone says it's better to let it rot for a year before adding it as mulch.
When you use it fresh, a lot of nitrogen an phosphates will go in to the environement.
Is that true?

Redbaron · November 29, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itoero

Onb another forum, someone says it's better to let it rot for a year before adding it as mulch.
When you use it fresh, a lot of nitrogen an phosphates will go in to the environment.
Is that true?

It can be true, but if you cover the manure with leaf mulch, (or hay straw grass clippings wood chips etc) it will speed the decomposition process and you'll likely be fine by spring.

Itoero · November 30, 2014

Good idea, it's autumn, so there are plenty leafs.

Bythenbrs · March 6, 2015

Forgive a newbie question, please. Just built my raised bed boxes but haven't filled them yet with soil or amendments. A friend has offered horse manure from her farm. Should the manure be mixed in at this time of year with my new soil and other amendments or should the manure 'age' and be allowed to breakdown some before use in the beds? Thanks in advance for any guidance.

BytheNbrs

beeman · March 6, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bythenbrs

Forgive a newbie question, please. Just built my raised bed boxes but haven't filled them yet with soil or amendments. A friend has offered horse manure from her farm. Should the manure be mixed in at this time of year with my new soil and other amendments or should the manure 'age' and be allowed to breakdown some before use in the beds? Thanks in advance for any guidance.BytheNbrs

I would suggest you do some herbicide testing before you fill those raised beds.
There is so much herbicide around, it would be heart breaking to find the plants won't grow.
Will entail digging it all out again.

November 27, 2014	#1
Itoero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Belgium Posts: 186	horse manure Is it wise to add fresh horse manure as mulch in my greenhouse? to prepare the soil for next season...

November 27, 2014	#2
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Been using it on my no-till raised bed for the last 5 years. As my bed is exposed to the elements and breaks down by planting time I don't know about your situation with your beds being under cover. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

March 6, 2015	#7
Bythenbrs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Charlotte Posts: 11	Bump Forgive a newbie question, please. Just built my raised bed boxes but haven't filled them yet with soil or amendments. A friend has offered horse manure from her farm. Should the manure be mixed in at this time of year with my new soil and other amendments or should the manure 'age' and be allowed to breakdown some before use in the beds? Thanks in advance for any guidance. BytheNbrs

November 27, 2014	#3
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	It's a smart idea to test it for herbicide. All you have to do is grow a bean plant in a cup of it. If the leaves are not gnarled, then it's ok. Dow chemical made a web site about contaminated manure: http://www.manurematters.com/na/en/

November 28, 2014	#4
Itoero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Belgium Posts: 186	Onb another forum, someone says it's better to let it rot for a year before adding it as mulch. When you use it fresh, a lot of nitrogen an phosphates will go in to the environement. Is that true?

November 30, 2014	#6
Itoero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Belgium Posts: 186	Good idea, it's autumn, so there are plenty leafs.