|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2006 14:14:13 GMT
OK, this is probably a silly question  ... but: I've spent a couple of hours making a mulching mixture of (about) 1/3 rotted horse manure, 1/3 last year's leaf mulch and 1/3 home-made compost, still unfortunately with some stringy bits in this. I was going to use this to cover tenders later on, but I also wanted to use some, and the balance of the horse manure on two roses ... but I'm not sure how. Do I fork it in, or would that harm the roots? Or do I just spread it around and let nature (or rather, the rain) do the rest? ... cheers ... |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Sept 26, 2006 14:59:20 GMT
Before I say anything let me tell you that the daughter of one of my neighbours got some horse manure and successfully burned all the roots off 30 choice roses.......
Use sparingly what ever you do - I would work it in a bit BUT not directly on the rose i.e. the bud grafting. Then let the weather do its job - later on you can work it in a little more.
It is very much a "less is better" - although horse manure is very good for roses. With the leaf mould and your own compost you have a powerful fertilizer. Also don't put it on unless the temperatures go down a bit....
Actually cow manure is great as well for planting new roses in - however it must have been there for a good time and then dug over - otherwise the roses just go mad - leaves and more leaves - that is if you don't burn the roots again.
Rosefriend
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 26, 2006 16:02:22 GMT
I wouldn't dig it in at this time of year either. If your soil is nice and damp just lay it on as a mulch and let the bugs do the work. The rain will trickle down the goodness and the worms will work it into the ground, that way you won't damage the roots with too much rich stuff all at once. At this time of year I spread loads of goat muck straight out of their sheds directly around the bases of as many of my plants as I can. It all disappears over the winter , amazingly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2006 11:18:54 GMT
Thanks for the advice, I'll spread it carefully around ... now all I need is to find more horses pooing around the area  ... cheers ... |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2006 13:38:25 GMT
At this time of year I spread loads of goat muck straight out of their sheds directly around the bases of as many of my plants as I can. I didn't realise you could do that with goat muck - which, as we all know is a definite no, no when it comes to horse muck |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Sept 27, 2006 13:47:54 GMT
Well, I think really it's because goat poo is much smaller, therefore less easy to pick up, and so tends to be more straw-y. I use the deep bed method anyway where you build up a bed for longer (retains the heat more for the goats in winter) so by the time I clear it all out all the goat's wee has started to break it all down anyway. It's very hard work clearing it out but it is a phenomenally good mulch. Takes about 30 plus barrow loads to clean both sheds out so you can see I can spread it under quite a few trees and plants! I used to put it in a compost heap but the rats loved it because of all the dried rations the goats split. This way they have no cosy winter quarters to build in....
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2006 15:27:36 GMT
Now, if only we had a goat farm in the middle of Dublin ... ;D
|
|
... but: I've spent a couple of hours making a mulching mixture of (about) 1/3 rotted horse manure, 1/3 last year's leaf mulch and 1/3 home-made compost, still unfortunately with some stringy bits in this. I was going to use this to cover tenders later on, but I also wanted to use some, and the balance of the horse manure on two roses ... but I'm not sure how. Do I fork it in, or would that harm the roots? Or do I just spread it around and let nature (or rather, the rain) do the rest? ... cheers ...
... cheers ...