My Garden

Cow versus horse manure!

Last post 07-11-2009 7:50 AM by Towser. 5 replies.

• 28/10/2009 07:45 PM
  Lady P Location: West Sussex Joined on: 26 Apr 2009 Posts: 13	Reply | Contact Can anyone advise what the pro's and con's are of using either?  This is for a new raised herbaceous bed on clay where I'm going to use 6 tonnes of topsoil, and 3 tonnes of manure.  I have a supplier of some 3-year old cow poo --- will it be OK?  Thanks!

• 29/10/2009 01:27 PM	In reply to
  BB Location: Hereford Joined on: 12 May 2009 Posts: 573	Reply | Contact I used 2 year old cow manure this year, as I have easier access to cow manure than horse manure,  with good results. I think any vegetarian animal manure is fine (even elephants, if you can get it) Just make sure it is well aged. BB

• 30/10/2009 01:07 PM	In reply to
  Obelix Location: Belgium Joined on: 24 Nov 2004 Posts: 378	Reply | Contact Either is as good as the other though there is probably more fibrous matter and thus humous mixed in with the straw in horse manure.  The only thing to be wary of is whether or not their pasture was treated with a new herbicide - aminopyralid - as it is persistent in the manure and can badly affect any crops or plants grown. Obelix - Belgium

• 04/11/2009 10:16 PM	In reply to
  Lady P Location: West Sussex Joined on: 26 Apr 2009 Posts: 13	Reply | Contact Thanks both, that's great - I've opted for cow manure and it arrived today - looks lovely (if you can call it that!)

• 06/11/2009 06:05 PM	In reply to
  Phot's-Moll Location: The sunny South coast. Joined on: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 3,347	Reply | Contact If you've got access to a good supply of well rotted manure of any type then take it! Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.

• 07/11/2009 07:50 AM	In reply to
  Towser Location: Gloucester Joined on: 10 May 2009 Posts: 4	Reply | Contact Their digestive arrangements are quite different. Putting it simply Cows have two stomachs but Horses have just one. Hence Cow manure has far fewer weed seeds.