How much manure can I use to fill my beds?

PeteW

Hiya,

I've got a couple raised beds that need filling, and am finding topsoil a bit hard to come by in sufficient quantities.

However, I have found an almost unlimited supply of 3 year old manure, very locally too. So I'm wondering how much of that I can put in the beds to help fill it up quickly and cheaply? Is there a ratio I should be aiming for?

Cheers

Pete

conradmum

If it's 3 years old you could use a lot - 50/50 I'd say. Great stuff. You're lucky having a local supply.

PeteW

Just what I wanted to hear, thanks!

Primrose

Lucky man to be able to get such a good supply of well rotted manure. I'd mix 50/50. You may find however, if you're planning to grow vegetables rather than flowers that you end up with plants that have a lot of foliage, although you should get a good crop yield as well.

knithryn

Pete - first thing I did was look to see where you were! We'd all be astoundingly grateful for 3 year old manure!
If you are growing veg have a look at the 'crop rotation' stuff, as some crops prefer NOT to be on well-manured soil and some NEED well manured soil.
As for flowers, well... yes you might get a lot of lush growth this year, but if nothing else it will build up your plants for the future.
Beware of random oat seeds if it is horse manure - you might end up with some interesting plant combinations where oats grow with your flowers, but it's a small price to pay for the 'black gold' you are receiving!

PeteW

I'm in Guildford, Surrey so please PM me if you want a share of of my bounty!

knithryn

Unfortunately Bolton is a long way with a wheelbarrow with a flat tyre! But thanks for the offer!