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Manure as mulch

WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
in Problem solving
Hi,

I have just purchased some GroSure Farmyard manure to mulch the top of my beds and some of the perennials I have.

Having read about this product and the reviews, moisture retention is one benefit of using this manure. My question is do I need to keep the surface of the manure damp or is it ok to let it dry out?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 Thanks.

Posts

  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    If I understand your question correctly, you just need to spread it on the ground around your plants, and leave nature to take it's course.  It will dry out in hot spells, and get wet on rainy days, the combination of both will help to break it down, and worms will draw it down into the soil eventually.

    Try not to mulch around the stems of shrubs or trees, it's always best to leave a small gap, as otherwise any thick mulch can encourage the stem to rot.
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Thanks, much appreciated. 

    What would be ‘thick’ mulch? I’ve spread a relatively thin (no more than 10mm) layer of the manure under some shrubs which has meant some of the stems are in contact with the manure - is that ok or should I clear it away?

     Thanks.
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    Hi @Wildlifelover, I would take some of the mulch away from the stems, leave a gap of 3 inches, thickness can be 2 inches if you’ve got enough of it :smile:
  • SophieKSophieK Posts: 244
    I use manure a lot for my all my borders, especially as my tropical plants can't get enough of its rich goodness, but most other plants love them too - except lime-loving plants, I've read. Indeed leave a gap from the stems, however 10mm is too little to really feed the ground and make a difference. You really ought to spread a thickness of 2-3 inches. After that, no there is no care or watering required.
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    That’s great, many thanks - I’ve a lot to learn!

    Just one more question if that’s ok, when I apply the mulch and leave a gap around all my plants, should it look like a doughnut with the mulch 2-3 inches higher than the crown of the plant? 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Any mulch of organic material, whether manure or compost, will help to retain moisture, providing there is moisture to retain, so best to do so after a really good downpour or watering. The thicker the mulch the better the water retention qualities. If you are sticking with 10mm, just bear in mind it won’t retain moisture for long. Yes, you want a doughnut of soil free of manure around all plant stems/crowns. Some perennials don’t like it too rich, like most sun-loving Mediterranean plants/those that prefer poor soil, but I don’t think 10mm will have much effect. You don’t have to keep the entire surface of the bed constantly moist, you would use a lot of water to do so then lose it to evaporation - just water individual plants.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Thank you Nollie. I am only applying mulch to the plants that according to the RHS website, require a 5-7cm mulch of well rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant. 

    If small amounts of the manure are accidentally touching the stems, due to say blackbirds digging in it, can that cause issues or is it only deep mulch that can cause rot etc if the manure is touching the plants?
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