Horse Manure

I've seen an advert for 25kg bags of horse manure for £1 per bag.

I've never used horse manure before so not sure a) if that is a good price; b) how best to use it; c) when is best to use it?

Any advice, greatly appreciated

 

Thats about what it costs around here too.

Did it say if it was rotted or not?

 

Thank you, Zigs; no, it didn't. Would that make a difference?

 

If it wasn't well rotted, could I keep it in the bags in my copse until it was? And, roughly how long does that take?

 

Its best rotted down in bulk, in a big pile built up around a pipe, which you pull out afterwards to let air into the bottom.

Bit about using it for hot beds here,

http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/ziggys-west-bay-dorset-veg-plot.31341/

It gets very hot when its fresh, it can burn plant roots.

 

Of course, you wouldn't want to make a hot bed now, more use in the spring.

 

Well rotted manure is usually about £4 per bag here. Or you can ask the local riding school/livery stables if you can have some, and they'll probably let you just take it because it saves them a job.

 

I was told when using leave on top of the soil dont dig in as it takes ages to break down , I used to get lots of it free , but the woman had 3 dogs that used to go for me she said they didnt bite but got very close to it last time I went I EVEN bought some dog biscuits and as soon as they eat them they all went for me again , she has two horses and the heap is over 20 years old the amount of worms is amazing.

Spruce

 

Our local farm sells mixed bags of well rotted horse & chicken manure for £1.50 a bag or just round the corner from there I can get slightly larger bags for a donation to an honesty box, these bags are pot luck, they could be fresh poop or it could be stuff thats a little more rotted but at this time of year its ok as I just pile it up on the veg patch and leave it to the winter weather and worms until I dig it in early next year

 

Yes, it saves them having to pay for it to be taken away. Check out local stables on Yell.com or on your Local Authority's website (riding stables need to be registered with the Local Authority).

 

http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/106587163/free-horse-manure.html

 

Ok, by that I am happy to pay "per bag"

Actually, my friend called me this evening to say she has a free supply if I can provide the bags! Can I supply bags? Hell yeah! I'll recycle my cat/dog/chook/duck feedbags!!!

 

I got some in Hinckley for 25p a bag - about a bucketful in each bag, I'd say. Also another local place that will give it away but like you to replace the bags.

 

Im surprised they are charging for the stuff, larger stables and such would be mad looking rid of it, any ive looked for here is all free, though as yous say, hard to know what your getting!