Stable manure

[allanwoolley]

Unfortunately our allotment has no watering facilities and I feel I must make some arrangement for mulching, particularly with certain plantings, as my only hope if we have a dry summer.   I could get a hold of some good stable manure (free) from May onward, but it would be fresh.   Would it be safe to use as a direct mulch?   If not what about placing some newspapers down and covering them with the stuff.   Any ideas?

[allanwoolley]

[sandersj89]

Fresh manure as a mulch can lead to problems with plants being scorched.
I would prefer to stack it for a few months depending on what the horses have been bedded on.

Also if wood shavings have been used these will lock up nitrogen as it rots starving the plants.

I would be included to use something else such as lawn clippins to help conserve moisture.

HTH

Jerry

[allanwoolley]

Unfortunately, Jerry, I have no grass cuttings.   The stable manure is good quality with lots of lumpy bits and just a little straw but as it won't be available till May I would not have time to rot it down before I need it.

[sandersj89]

In that case you could use it but do not put it too close to the plants.

For closer to the plants how about mulching with simple straw as this will help hold in moisture with out any burning problems?

Jerry