[NAFEX] horse manure

JoanRRosenberg at aol.com JoanRRosenberg at aol.com
Tue Feb 1 10:49:18 EST 2005


Having horses, I use the manure for composting.  What I do is create compost areas.
 
I have 3 compost areas- the 3 year old pile, the 2 year old pile, and the current year's compost.

For regular garden fertilizer I dig from the 3 year old  pile, that has turned into neat black soil and is good rich dirt full of earth worms. I use this for regular veggies.

If I need to heat an area for overwinter, I use from the current pile, which generates heat as it decomposes.  This has to be dug in and mixed with the soil at least twice with a good spade, and it is work.  This area does not currently have producing plants in it. I just want to plant early in the spring, and it is a lot easier to turn over if it isn't frozen.

If I just want to mulch an area to prevent water runoff, I dig from the two year old pile.  It is not quite soil yet, so it mats, but it absorbs water.  I layer it on top of the existing soil to cover/kill weeds.   It also saves me from having to drag hoses for watering in drought periods.  

Most of these areas are also limed lightly on top to prevent excess acid drain into the soil below.  It also removes any associated smellies.  I also use the sprinkle on compost maker you can buy in the stores every 2 years or so to encourage breakdown.



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