Compost

[beeseejay]

I have a lot of well rotted horse manure, and more available if I can use it.
I've put some around the roses and I am wondering what to do next. I seem to remember reading that it is not good to dig into a veg plot for some vegetables but I cannot remember. So, which vegs like manured ground and which do not? Also is it ok to work it into the flower borders as a general soil conditioner. Many thanks.

[imagcq]

is there any wood chip or other material in the manure as that changes everything

[jomifl]

It can make root vegetables like carrots and parsnips fork into two or more roots apparently but should be OK for anything else if it IS well rotted. You can use it as a mulch, a lot less work, you will be surprised how quickly it disappears.

[imagcq]

nothing better for legumes and beans/ if there is wood chip for instance it can cause a nitrogen deficiency in the soil otherwise crack on

[Alliegid]

Question about this on GQT this week - great for everything except root veg, as jomifl said. They said to avoid using it on salad crops too, as they may be eaten unwashed

[beeseejay]

Thanks for your responses. No wood chip or other material. It is well rotted. I had to hack it out of the pile and break it up! Rather like being at the coal face - I imagine! Thanks again.

[Clanad]

If it came from a barn, corral or shelter and may have been outside for a while, even though it may be well rotted, you're going to find an abundance... no, a plethora of weeds. The manure is almost a magnet for blown in seeds of all kind as well as the ones that have passed through the horses mouth... The kind sold in gardening stores in bags have been irradiated to solve the problem (as well as being composted). This is true with any manure... not just horses.

[rowanwitch]

Don't use it with root veg as it makes them 'fork'

put in bottom of bean trenches and for the marrow,courgettes and pumpkins which are greedy plants

I would however use some in layers in a conventional compost heap makes brilliant compost that breaks down really quickly..

[muff13]

It is the root vegetable - carrots, parsnips etc.- that do not like freshly manured ground as it is inclined to make the roots fork. I think that you can use it (provided it is well rotted) for any other vegetables and I think that your flower beds will love it.

[beeseejay]

Thanks again folks. It has been used now all around the garden. I may go back for more to throw in the composter later in the year.

[horseshoes]

Stable manure is an excellent improver for clay soil.