Horse Manure with Shavings

[Digeroo]

I have a ready supply of horse manure with shavings though rather fresh,

I have been using it for paths where the poo seems to wash down leaving a chipping path with is ideal very few weeds coming through.

Where else can I use it?  I am very encouraged by the plants beside the path which are looking very bonny.  Can I use it to mulch round raspberries and other fruit trees?   What about strawberries when they have finished fruiting?

[Digeroo]

[gavinjconway]

Ok .... I'm going to shock you all with my comments...

Just use it as is and dig it in when you prepare your beds... I do this in the autumn and in the spring for the beds I dont get finished before the winter sets in. Everybody always says ... Ooooo it's bad to add it fresh and must rot down..

Rubbish is what I say. Just take a look at my blog site www.gavinconway.net and you will see I do it every year as we get free bags delivered to out site. iI add a layer of at least 3-4" and just dig it in. Yes the shavings take a bit of time to break down but hey it works for me.

When I come to final preparation before planting out I add general fertilizer as normal, fork or rotavate it in and then plant. Last year I grew 588 kg  of veg so something is right.. Right?

I also mulch my currants and raspberries with it.

[Digeroo]

We are now getting it delivered so it is constantly only a wheelbarrow away.

I have been very wary because of Aminopyralid problems in the past, but this stuff seems to be excellent. 

It seems to be great at suppressing weeds so I really want to use lots of it.

Many thanks for the advice Gavin.  Looks like you have even more shavings per poo.   Enjoyed your blog.

The argument is that wood shavings take nitrogen from the soil to rot but I can easily add some extra, but I was hoping they would be will impregnated with pee.

[gavinjconway]

Shavings "borrow" the nitrogen and return it when no longer required. I also hope some comes in the urine and then some from the fertilizer I use.. Hey it works for me..