I just bought a house with an acre and I'm going to do a bale garden this summer. I'm a city slicker although I'm not particularly proud of it. I've moved to the country now and my little acre is next door to a horse farm. So since I have access to all that horse manure...what do I do with it? I know that one of you built a frame for your bales and said that you put manure around the bales. Someone mentioned putting a shovel of manure on top. I know this sounds stupid but can someone tell me how to use it with my bale garden? Should I use it at all?
questions about horse manure
Liza, when I built the "frame" around mine it left about 4-5 inches between the edge of the bales and the boards so I just put manure in there to fill in the gap. I also hoped the manure would help fertilize the bales. I can't say if it was the manure or just the bales being enclosed, but they did better than the open row of bales. No matter what route you take just make sure the manure is composted before using it. If nothing else get a pickup load of it and let it sit until this fall to be used to enhance your soil in other beds.
Doug
Gosh Liza, that is wonderful. But, if you live next door to a farm, I am sure they probably have a place they have put older manure. How lucky can you be!!
Jeanette
Thank you Doug. I knew you couldn't use it "fresh" but didn't know how long it had to sit. I saw your pictures and there sure was a big difference in the two sets of bales. And Jeanette, I'm sure you're right and they have a pile somewhere. I'll have to ask.
I thought it was pretty lucky. Actually it's why I bought the house. So nice to sit out and watch the horses and visit with them.
Yes, they are nice to have around. Whether you can use the horse manure right now or not, be sure you put in a big supply in case something occurs in the future that you can't get any more. I know it might not be too pleasant in the summer, maybe there is something you can do to keep the smell and flies down.
Jeanette
I get this bag from the feed store and fill it up with water and hang it on my front porch. I will check out the name when I get home tonight. It captures the flys and they cant get back up. It has really come in handy as the flys use to congergate on my front porch, now they are in the bag. I have horses in my front yard, a Rodeo Arena a little past that and stables in my back yard, so it can become fly central.
I let the manure sit for about a month in the sun to dry out. I am starting my first bale this year and will make a frame for it and use some to see if it will work. I do mix it in when I have planted other plants and trees in the ground and it has seemed to work wonderful.
Miss Jestr, what is the bag? Would love to know what it is. Just for future reference since I don't need it right now. No flies. However, one never knows.
Jeanette
I found a link to Jeffers online store that sells them. I swear by them...
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=2&pf_id=13047
PS NO Pesticides in the bag, and safe to use around kids and pets if hung high enough.... Edited to say that is My opnion
This message was edited Mar 20, 2009 10:21 AM
You know, I moved here early last September which is still HOT weather here and I didn't have a lot of flies and no smell at all. The paddocks over there are very large so maybe it's spread out enough not to be a problem.
I used to work on a horse farm and we used the fly traps where you mix the "stuff" and hang them. They are really effective and non toxic. Gross when they're full though. Really gross.
Yep Liza, Mine is almost full, and on a windy day it has a Yucky smell, but it does the trick.