I was thinking of using a 50 litre old compost bag and decanting from that. But I could measure that level out in a trug and mark a line. That would be easier to handle, fill and tip than a bag. Thanks for the thought.
A trug would definitely be easier to shovel the manure into. I sometimes decant my homemade compost into old compost bags and it's hard to make them stay open until they're about a third full.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
They still flop about/fall down if I'm not quite accurate enough with the shovel (user error more than anything else, most likely). Fortunately I don't do it often enough to be too bothered, but for @Fire 's project the rolling/unrolling of bags might make for a very slow process and as people are paying for the stuff, wastage is best avoided as far as possible.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
A suitcase weighing scale would do the job, the type you put on the handle and lift up. Or a digital bathroom scale, mine keeps the weight showing once you step off of it. To fill the bags take a piece of bendy plastic/wood/metal whatever you can find, bend it into a semi circle and put the bag round one end, then just shovel the compost onto the plastic and it'll slide down into the bag, 2 people helps.
Well, the joint order is in: ten neighbours, one ton of manure, one ton of a John Innes mix and one ton of peat-free compost.
Thanks very much with helping me get to this point and thinking through the options. I found a 25 litre trug with litre measurements on the inside and conclude this will be the easiest (if slightly rough) way of dolling out. We have a pile of old bags, shovels and a barrow, so fingers crossed for a fine day. 🌼
Three tonnes of were shifted today. The plan and the measuring, worked well: Four hours of graft (neighbours lifting, me ticking off various lists). No rain.
Thompson's manure is stable droppings mixed with woodchip - so, light to carrry about. Very chippy. But essentially free. We pay £3 per 50 litres to mainly cover their labour and transport costs.
I got some bagged Sylvagrow manure too, which is entirely different, lovely, dark, crumby chocolate cake with zero scent. Much processed, to the point where I fancy eating the stuff. (I guess it varies on the batch).
A lorry with a long crane arm and claw I find always mesmerising to watch.
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Thanks for everyone who contributed useful thoughts on the matter. Very helpful, for quite an intense afternoon. Our neighbourhood gardeners send you their best wishes. 💫
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