Compost V Manure

[Andrew Parker]

I have been pondering for the last week or two about what was best for bringing my plot on now that I am getting more experienced with veg growing (well sort of).

I am slowly clearing my plot of weeds, grass and bringing more of the plot into cultivation. Now I am thinking about my heavy clay soil and which is best Manure or Compost?

I have tried to way it up as personally as I always try my best when I take something on and stubbonly try and do things right.

Is manure the gold standard for the soil? because where I live the only supply is about 10 miles away and I will only be able to transport it in small quantities in my car, my colleague put me off with a story of picking up his wife with a boot full of horse manure after she had been shopping with her best finery on, the picture I have in my mind of them coming home with bags of shopping and horse muck has made me smile for some time.
I can have it delivered for about £60 to £70 for about 4 ton???? but then I am not sure where to put it while it stands?

On my allotment site we have a shop which is opened up when ever we need something then we settle up later. In the shop they sell a spent mushroom/ manure/ compost mix in a 40 litre bag, each bag costs £2 and there is no transportation costs as my plot is just down from the shop, also where I live I have two very good garden centres who are in a bit of a price war and it always seem to be with compost bags.

How does everyone else manage? I would be grateful for any feedback?

Thank you for your time and Happy gardening (when the rain stops).

Andrew.

[oldherbaceous]

Good afternoon Andrew, i also have heavy soil, i always get manure for my allotments.
Well rotted horse manure is the best for heavy soil, but i normally get well rotted cow manure just because i can get it so cheap.
Fresh cow manure is not a good idea, because it can make the ground very cold and sour.
Although you could buy 35 bags of compost for the same price as your manure, you will probably find it doesn't go that far on a allotment, although it is easier to spread.
With my manure i normally trench it in through the winter so the heap has gone by the spring when i need the space.
Can you not have a load tipped on your allotment.

I loved the story about your colleague and the manure.

[Allan]

I spent a lot at one time on mushroom compost until I realised that it rotted down to almost nothing. £2 is a lot for that. As an experiment leave a bagfull as you get it for a few months and see how much it shrinks.
Allan

[Jenny Green]

I wouldn't bother with supermarket compost for helping your soil very much at all. It's usually fairly inert matter, such as peat, and added chemical nutrients. It won't break down very well in the soil. Garden compost is another matter.
Manure is generally richer in nutrients but both garden compost and manure can add valuable humus to a clay soil.

[peter]

Manure, but it varies.
Has been as little as £15 a trailer load of well rotted cow dung in straw, estimated to be 1 tonne delivered.
Has been as much as £40 a trailer load for horse dung in chopped cannabis bedding, bigger trailer mind and it shovels and digs in easier as no long bits.

[Allan]

I am not sure that you understand the two meanings of compost i.e.
1. Multi-purpose compost such as Arthur Bowers. This is a growing medium, free from nasties but only sufficient nutrients to start to grow plants for about 3 weeks. When used up it is still valuable as a soil conditioner
2. material made from rotting down plant material, maybe with the addition of cardboard,paper, leaves etc. This is not only a good soil conditioner but will also supply nutrients for a considerable time, and is comparable with horse-manure or cow-manure etc, Other similar products are municipally composted household waste and proprietary forms, usually with enhanced nutrients but at a higher price
The big problem with garden compost is getting enough of it, especially when you start gardening. Try to confine it at first to the more hungry plants.
allan

[Chris]

Andrew

I agree with Jenny. Supermarket 'compost' is expensive and of little value.

I started my garden with a huge load of cow manure. For the next ten years I dug in 2 to 3 bags of well rottted horse manure per 15ft by 4ft bed obtained from a local stud farm where they prepared the manure in the traditional way with well managed heaps. The compacted and waterlogged ground has turned into very good soil in what are now raised beds.

Today I get horse manure from local riding centres - they have a problem with disposal and are only too happy for us gardeners to help out. One source is free but I have to dig and bag the stuff myself. The other charges 20p per bag which I pick up from the side of the road. I then put it in a compost bin and use when it has rotted down enough. Yes it can make a mess of the car - but tht's what cars are for! I keep a plastic sheet in the back of the car just in case.

There must be similar sources near you - us gardeners have to be resourseful and look beyond the likes of B&Q. If you can't find supplies easily an add in the local paper may suffice.

[Andrew Parker]

Thank you every one for your replies.

I can get straw bales locally and they very cheap at £1.80 each, also I'm allowed to put this in our new car, so will this do as a conditioner for my soil?

Thanks Andrew.

[peter]

As "raw" compost material this will have to rot somewhat before ii is of use for soil conditioning.
However, there is a method of growing tomatoes in a buried straw bale.
Some people (Chantal or Wedd I think) who use straw as a path cover substitute.
Also your strawberries will appreciate it.
As will your compost heap, as an addative to prevent it being too wet.

I would caution against use as a soil improver until composted though.

[Zena]

Hi Andrew,
if you're having trouble finding manure locally, can I suggest you try Freecycle? That's how I found the load I'm hoping to collect at the weekend.

[Chris]

Andrew

Simple message - DON'T dig straw into the plot before it is very well rotted down. Mix it with the horse dropping you will get from stables and compost for a year.

Chris