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Maggoty manure!

CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
in Plants
Hello all, I've got some manure in a bag that I collected in summer with the intention of it rotting in time for autumn mulching. I look at it today and see a lot of maggots. Can I still use it? Does it matter if they're in there? Some are rat tailed which I understand are drone flies, which I'm happy to have. The ones in the pic are smaller though.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Yes - go for it - the birds will have a feast!
    It doesn't look well rotted, so keep away from the base of plants

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    No it's not very well rotted and soaking wet from the recent rain too. I don't know how long it's meant to take, it's had a few months!
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    I would mix that into your compost heap. It looks too fresh and acidic to spread amongst plants.
    Sunny Dundee
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2023
    It's not rotted properly cos it's been in a bag ... it needs exposure to air, worms, beetles and other insects and fungi etc in order to rot down properly ... otherwise it simply putrefies ... but you can use it now and it'll rot down over the winter ... just keep it away from the stems of plants as @Pete.8 has said.  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    If you haven't got a compost heap, try mixing in grass cuttings or even shredded paper. and put it in a larger bag with the top open.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited October 2023
    Rat-tailed maggots are the larvae of hoverflies. I agree that mixing manure in with compost can be a good way of curing it. 


  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    Thanks all, I haven't got a compost heap and not the space to leave it out in the open - so I left the bag open but that has meant it got soaked and is now slimy. I'm not going to put it on top of any plants, just bare soil where I've removed a plant. There are lots of lovely worms in there though. I was worried I'd end up with some kind of fly infested soil with the maggots in it! I don't have many birds in so I'm not sure they'll get eaten. I know the rat tails are good guys but wasn't too sure about the others! 
    I'll have to try and find a way of outdoor storage for next year 🤔.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Straight on ground with no plants should be fine until next spring
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I still have mushroom compost and horse manure in bags down the garden since last autumn.
    It's also full of worms, but no maggots as it's too old.
    I've got about 20 bags to spread in the next few weeks.
    I often keep it a year, the bags do degrade and tear easily which means moving them is tricky though, but the contents are lovely (or as lovely as manure gets..)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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