GIY Ireland, Together We Grow

Love the web site - Question
Can you use fresh horse manure in my raised garden? What is the recommended use of horse manure, is there a wait time?

Regards
Karl
Donegal

Generally speaking it is best to have well rotted horse manure, but when fresh is the only source it can be used with limitations. You can bury the manure with at least 6 inches of earth on top and grow things like squash in the soil. I have planted potatos and put the manure in between the rows so as not to allow the fresh manure to burn the new shoots and put black plastic on top so as no earthing up is needed. Cut holes to allow the new shoots to grow through.
Read this article from Michael Kelly: http://www.giyireland.com/articles/detail/things_to_do_this_week_build_a_hotbed

Thanks for that…I thought I was doing so well, how long should you wait for it to become well rotted? Or will I dig it back out again.

Thanks for that Robert. I have been eyeing up a field of horses across the road and wondering how to make the best use of thaty particular bounty, bearing in mind I have left it very late to get it rotted down. I have some well-rotted grass piles from last year so I might try cutting this with fresh manure, then mixing them in well below something hungry like my courgettes. I would be tempted to try the same with my mange-toutes. If anyone thinks this is a bad idea I’d like to hear about it before I go too far!

Hi Mícheál - would there still not be pathogens/bacteria in the fresh manure that composting would break down? I know Robert says about planting potatoes or squash after covering with a layer of soil, but both these veg would need a longer cooking time than courgettes or mange toute and that longer cooking time could kill off anything still in the veg - I came across something similar about chicken manure so I leave it in the compost bin until well decomposed.
I had a veg bed near the hen house & run and changed it to fruit bushes because when I hosed out the run the waste water ran into the veg bed so I reckon it was safer that this would run onto fruit bushes.
But then again if you get the veg tested there maybe there will be some horse dna in them!!

Hi Karl,
I always compost any manure before I add it to my veg plot.  Fresh manure will inhibit germination of seedlings and also cause too much lush growth.  This will make your plants more susceptible to pests and diseases.  It is best to compost the manure for about 6 months and ideally turn the heap once or twice.  You may think it’s a chore but I promise you’ll love it. 

regards
Klaus Laitenberger
http://www.giyireland.com/pages/klaus_korner_giy_resident_expert

Hi, just had a heap of fairly fresh FYM left on allotment on Saturday last. it is 70% straw. Based on the 6 month rotting rule, would I be best to take it off and leave in a heap and add back next Autumn?
Thanks

Hi Neil
I was about to agree with you on the 6 months, when I remembered a Tip of the day from a few days ago, which suggested growing early potatoes in the tunnel, and using farmyard manure which could be fresh or composted. As this tip came from the knowledgeable Jim Cronin, I reckoned it was worth linking here http://www.giyinternational.org/tips/details/growing_early_early_spuds_in_a_polytunnel
My own preference would still be to compost it, but have a read of Jims tip and see what you think.
Mícheál

Thanks Mícheál,
I do not have a polytunnel, but will try same approach outside with potatoes in March.
Regards,
Neil