Congratulations, Francis Thicke!!!

Isn't he also an organic farmer too? (4.00 / 2)

If so, then so much the better.

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

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by: JoanneRigutto @ Wed Jan 16, 2013 at 09:01:01 AM UTC

Good morning Joanne (4.00 / 1)

I seek your imput regarding using horse manure as garden amendment. How much and how long do you let it sit? I posted about my horse manure adventures and was hoping that you would comment.  

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by: la motocycliste @ Wed Jan 16, 2013 at 18:10:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hi (4.00 / 2)

I put down a 2"-4" layer of fresh manure, bedding and old hay from cleaning stalls if I'm going to let it sit for several months and/or cover it.

If you're going to grow leafy greens or other things that you're going to eat raw, it's recomended that it sit for 120 days prior to planting unless you mulch it heavy. Now, if it's already composted or rotted, then you can go ahead and plant directly into it. I usually like to add a layer of wood chips over it to suppress weeds (horse manure is notorious for being full of grass seed), or you can cover it with plastic mulch and plant through that. You can also till it in and it will increase the tilth of your soil.

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

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by: JoanneRigutto @ Thu Jan 17, 2013 at 01:35:55 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks! (4.00 / 1)

I am planning to add the composted part of the compost heap and a good dose of lime and till it all in. Lime is to sweeten up the soil- I was told it tends to be lower ph than optimum for my tomatoes, kale and beans

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by: la motocycliste @ Thu Jan 17, 2013 at 15:35:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]