Manure

Guernsey Donkey2 · March 2016

Do you have a preference for the garden - cow or horse manure? We have a supply of horse manure but I have been told that cow manure is better for the garden. Which plants do you use it for? I have used our horse manure on the roses and fruit trees this winter.

Fairygirl · March 2016

I can vouch for horse manure GD - but never used cow. Is there a great deal of difference in terms of value for plants?

Dave Morgan · March 2016

I prefer horse to cow personally. Cow is either too sloppy or hard. Horse breaks down nicely when mixed with straw. As for which is best I really don't know as I compost it all with other garden waste and use that instead of raw on beds or around roses. Raw can be a bit too much for some plants and burn them. My grandfather swore by horse when I was in his garden he used to have a bucket with him wherever he went and scoop it up to take home. Mind you no one has horse drawn transport anymore.

Buttercupdays · March 2016

I use sheep and get good results with that - an endless supply from my little flock Some that was stacked at the side of the yard, when it was simply too wet to cart it away, was absolutely teeming with worms when I was able to move it. They obviously thought it was good stuff!

Guernsey Donkey2 · March 2016

My Dad used to use cow manure - told me to steer clear of horse - so I am interested to read all your comments. I also like to dig manure into the veg patch where we are going to grow courgettes and squash when things warm up a bit.

Fairygirl · March 2016

How interesting GD. Did your Dad ever say why he didn't like horse?

Dovefromabove · March 2016

I think there's a theory that horses eat hay and the seeds pass through into the manure, but if it's been stacked and allowed to rot down that shouldn't be a problem anyway. Putting it direct onto the ground might result in grass weeds growing.

michael mpc · March 2016

hi fairygirl @gd my opinion about horse and cow muck,,, is that you get too much corn unbroken in horse muck I can say that from my bad luck got a load when I lived in Stockton on tees had lots of corn growing ,,only use cow black and thick as above I have a tiny bit left to crumple up in my m p c next to my allotment now is a large pidgeon cree I get all his muck I have 3large bins so I move it around and a big compost heap so it is well mixed up ( sheep muck in a sack in a tub of water is a good feed for toms )

Melspad · March 2016

I read a very interesting article a few years ago about an allotmenteer who killed most of his plants by using cow manure from a farm that used growth hormones. Hence I have always collected my muck from small stables that do not use a lot of 'medication' that would makes its way into the soil. This is especially important if you garden organically. Please also make sure you rot it down for at least a year before using, thus hopefully dispersing much of the 'bad' element. Good luck

Dovefromabove · March 2016

Hi Melspad I think this may well be the problem you've read about. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=477

Farmers in the UK cannot and do not use 'growth hormones' on their cattle - it would be highly illegal as the practice is banned within the EU. Some info here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beef_hormone_controversy

It is however allowed in the USA.

GWRS · March 2016

Hello , I use horse manure on my allotment simply because it is delivered to the site and is Free

Sometimes it is a bit fresh , so in the Autumn / Winter I just spread it over the dug beds and let nature do its bit , then dig it in in March and so far it has done me proud

We have a new supply and this is rotted down more so this weekend put some around Rhubard and side of aprasgus beds

I personally think you use what ever is at hand but "Free " is best

Manure

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