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Well rotted manure and planting

WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
in Problem solving
Apologies if this is a daft question but how quickly does well rotted manure become safe to sow seeds in?

I have placed a 2” layer of well rotted manure as a mulch on my beds and I’ve been told it’s not possible to sow direct into the manure due to its richness. How far down the line does the manure lose it richness, meaning I can sow seeds that require sowing only 0.5cm deep for example?

 Thanks.

Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Better safe than sorry, either take the manure off your seed areas or sow them in cells first and plant out when bigger but still move the manure away from around the plant.
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Thanks. Would sowing in biodegradable pots then planting out, moving the manure away, work? 

    I assume over time, the worms and natural degrading will blend the manure into the soil below? 

  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Please don't regard me as an authority, Wildlifelover , but I tend to start with what nature does, and work from there.  Living in an area of many square miles of farmland, it doesn't take long for vegetation to re-colonise cow pats, so last year I was given a quantity of farmyard fresh manure which I spread on my veg plot.  Only a few months later I planted my onion sets directly into it and had a marvellous crop.  Last autumn I was again given a huge trailer load that covered my small veg plot to a depth of 9-12 inches.  Onion sets doing well.  Rhubarb loves it.  Brassica plants healthy.  Peas and beans showing through so, with all the normal provisos that root crops like parsnips and carrots will fork, I'd say I'm happy.  Now, I'm a veg only gardener so can't offer any comments on delicate flower seeds, but I wouldn't feel too hidebound by the fears of others?
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