I'm going for the prize for silliest question on this forum:
I went to get the compost for my spuds today over £6 for 120 litres in B&Q!!!
Now, call me tight but the risk of a poor crop balanced against the number of spuds I can buy for that money doesn't seem to make it worthwhile. Last year's dustbins only cropped enough for two dinners
Now, the silly question; I've got a horse, she poos barrow loads every day and the heap at the yard is nice and steaming. I know it can go in the ground to grow spuds in but can I just grow them in a container in horse poo or will it be too strong?
I'm not able to dig the ground this season due to my current physical health but have planted grow bags in abundance and pots/container veggies this year.
If G*d took the trouble to assemble the dust in the house... who am I to disturb it?
First, I'd like to say that I don't think your question is stupid at all. I'm certain I've asked FAR more stupid questions in the last few days, possibly in the last few minutes.
Second, I don't think you need to worry about buying expensive compost from B&Q ever again, as your horse will provide it instead. However, it will definitely be too 'hot' to use in its 100% fresh state. Best is to build a pile of, say, 4 inches of poo covered by 4 inches of veggie matter that is either in small-ish pieces or has been hacked into same with a spade. Doesn't need to be very small, just small enough to make it easier to pick it up a spadeful at a time. Every couple of layers give it a bit of water. When the pile is about 3-4 feet high, go and have a cup of tea.
A couple of days later, simply shovel it into a new pile next to the original. Three days later, do it again. Four days later, do it again.
You'll notice that the whole thing becomes hot towards the centre, which probably means you need to add some more water as the heat can dry things out somewhat. Don't make it soggy - just damp will do.
You'll also notice that the veggie stuff gradually becomes the colour of compost...which is exactly what it's all turning in to.
After the final turn it should be in the cooling-down phase, which means it's ready to use. If it stays hot to the touch near the middle of the pile, turn it again. When it stays cool, it's ready to use. I've made compost in as little as a week using this method, by turning the pile every day.
It will still be a bit strong to use straight, for most things. Tomato and squashes think it's great at full strength, whereas many other things need it diluted. I don't know about spuds, never gave 'em pure compost! Give it a try, and let us know what happens...
You could if you have any use soil from your garden mixed with half manure from your hose manure pile. Also agood thing to use instead of bins are tyres, if you put a tyre on the ground and fill it to the top with your mix then shallowly plant apotato in it 9about a 13 inch tyre, then when you see the first sign of the shoots put another tyre on and top it with your manure soil mix and then one more tyre when the shoots are showing out the top of that then when it is 3 tyres high leave it to leaf then flower, and after the top starts to die off then it is about ready, afriend of mine tried it and had a really good crop.
Mike.
You might even want to ask on freecycle. My spuds in tyres are growing in compost mixed with earth dug up from my neighbours garden. I spotted a skip full of it and asked him if I could use it. There are always people giving away top soil or just soil on our freecycle.
Am mixing horse poo with topsoil 50:50 whilst the potatoes quietly chit away on the windowsill :)
Freecycle is a good idea, I don't know why it didn't cross my mind! I've already got a huge aquarium from Freecycle for my daughter's escapologist (SP?) hamster and a water butt with a leak to grow onions, leeks (of the veggie kind ) or spuds in so that's a good plan!
Cheers me dears
If G*d took the trouble to assemble the dust in the house... who am I to disturb it?
