Re:
Dewight
In my opinion old cow manure is better. I have one plot that is right in a
old barn foundation and the old manure is still there. The old barn was torn
down and the manure remained - has not seen a cow in at least 10 years. It
also has a concrete floor about 18 inches down. A year ago last fall I
stirred the manure up with the tractor loader just to loosen it up a little.
Strangely enough the manure at the bottom right next the floor did not show
its age at all. You could still see the straw in it. I guess it was packed
down so hard and could not get air it must have kind of "ensiled" itself
like corn silage does in the silo. Then this spring I took the rototiller
right in there in the foundation and tilled it up really well as deep down
as the tiller would go. I ended up with really nice looking fluffy light
black "soil". Can not really call it soil as there is no soil at all in this
plot. It served as my "soilless experiment".
Anyway this plot produced a 557 pounder on a Anderson 977 plant that had
very little attention. This was my biggest fruit that made it to the end of
the season and was also the latest one pollinated and grew on the smallest
plant thank to extensive groundhog damage early in the year. So I am anxious
to give the soiless plot another try this year.
The aged cow manure is not as harsh as fresh stuff, and likely has just as
much nutrients.
If you could get it spread out now and could still manage to get it plowed
under that would be good as it would be ready to roll in the spring. That
sure sounds strange to be able to plow in January.
Good Luck
Glenn
-----Original Message-----
From: Dewight Blanton <dewig1@excite.com>
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com <pumpkins@mallorn.com>
Date: Wednesday, January 05, 2000 6:08 PM
>Hello everyone,
> I have a few questions that have arose since I've started preparing my
>patch in the last week. So far I have added a total of six full truck loads
>of maple leaves along with a little old grass clippings and a bit of old
>straw. The area is now 25 ft. X 75 ft. and I plan on this for three plants.
>I know it's a bit small but will expand to 30 X 90 for next year.
Questions;
>I have a small dump-truck,a bobcat(to load the truck),and all the cow
manure
>I want out of a friends grandpa's barn. Most of the manure is quite old,is
>this good or bad? It is also setting on a concrete slab,some 16-18 inches
>down,will the manure coming in contact with the concrete have any adverse
>effects? Will it be alright to go ahead and spread say 8-10 inches on my
>patch if the ground is frozen when we do this Saturday? I don't think it
>will be but you never know. And will it be alright to wait till the first
>decent dry day in early spring to till it in? Seeing how we got 5 inches of
>rain Monday the ground will probably be either wet or frozen for quite some
>time.
>
>Waiting for replies,
> Dewight
>
>
>
>
>
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