Muck or Magic?
Susienearly65
Posts: 32
hi everyone. Haven't visited the forum for a while, things have changed! Hope you are all well. I have a muck problem. I've always used horse muck on my veggies. I make my own compost and add all the chicken muck to it but can't make enough for the whole garden so use the free horse muck everyone has round here. I was reading a discussion last night about farmers spraying fields with the stuff they are now allowed to use and apparently this causes crop failure because it gets into the manure via the horses food chain. We have had poor results over the last two or three years, even the courgettes failed last year! We put it down to the weather or not enough goodness in the soil but now I'm wondering. Has anyone else come across this and what else can I use.
Posts
I've read about it, but can't claim any expertise.
This problem came to light in 2009/10 - the weedkiller was one that was sold specifically to eradicate weeds in pasture (ragwort etc) - the same active ingredient is frequently used in lawn treatments.
When the problem of contamination of manure was discovered the weedkiller was withdrawn from sale while the problem was investigated, changes were made and it is now available for use under specific circumstances.
It is no longer approved for use on pasture grazed by horses, and should not be used on grassland used to produce fodder. Any manure from sheep or cattle grazing land which has been treated must be kept on the farm.
This has been done specifically to remove the risk of contaminated manure being supplied to gardeners and allottment holders.
RHS information here https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=477
Health & Safety Executive info here http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/topics/using-pesticides/General/issues-associated-with-the-use-of-farm-yard-manure-containing-aminopyralid-residues#Q5
Hope that helps
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks Dovefromabove. ive been using manure that was collected over the last four years. Do you think I should abandon using it. What is the alternative and does it become safe over time
From what I understand that ought to be ok - the RHS link I posted gives advice about how to speed the breakdown of any contamination in stacked manure.
There's also information here http://www.manurematters.co.uk/gardening.htm (down the right hand side panel) on how gardeners can test manure to see if it is contaminated.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thank you for the link Dove. I will try the test in the article But I think I will just leave a heap in the corner somewhere to break down. My garden isn't big enough to make enough compost to feed all of the veg plots. I have tried the 'dalek'type composters but don't seem to have much success with those. So I'll have another cup of tea and plan a site for another compost heap (dog willing)!
The RHS link also gives a list of the garden plants that are most susceptible to the contamination, so you could start by using the manure you already have on areas where you grow plants that are less susceptible
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.