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30 year old sheep manure?

my landlord has a hill of 30 year old sheep manure that by now is just dirt. he says its 30 or so years old..will it still be full of nutrients ?

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  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    I'd snap it up if I had the chance. Even if it's just used as a soil conditioner, I'd bet the texture is divine.

    Devon.
  • JohanneleJohannele Posts: 19

    There will hardly be any nutrients left after that time. But I agree with Hostafan - use it! It will be perfect for improving soil structure. Just mix it in, or mulch with it, as much as you like.

  • johngreenjohngreen Posts: 58

    haha edd..

    so the nutrients might not be that great? well i will try and add some other stuff too then. i did grab some of it in my hand and the texture was amazing yes!

  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150

    Just a thought but has the whole lot been sitting there for thirty years or is it an ongoing accumulation  When you say "hill" I envision a huge mound as big as a house. That's a lot to pile up in one go.

  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    I'll help reduce the hill imageimage will bring my own truck..er..well only have a wheelbarrow image

  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,496
    How did the farmer train his sheep to do their 'business' in the same place for 30 years?
  • DorsetUKDorsetUK Posts: 441

    He had very good sheepdogs!

  • johngreenjohngreen Posts: 58

    I don't know why it's in that hill form. He just told me its been sitting there for 30 years. It just looked like top soil. it's quite big actually, bigger than a garden shed, top of the hill is probably the same height as the roof of a house. I need to find a trailer so I can load lots of it up! He owns the field around my place too and told me i could go and shovel that soil up but i dont want all that pesticide/herbicide infested soil

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,617

    If you were local, I'd help you. I bet it's great for growing pumpkins and courgettes in. As you're in Canada, I'll have to pass.

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,617

    You could check for herbicide residues such as clopyralid or aminopyralid by filling a pot with the manure, and growing a few tomato seeds in. If there are herbicide residues, then the tomato leaves grow all twisted. If that happens I wouldnt use it. Dow promoted the use of these herbicides all over.  It stays in the grass, which animals eat and is passed out unchanged. I would test it before you risk spoiling your veg beds. 

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