Seasoning manure in plastic?

[sandspider]

Hi all

Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'm hoping the answer is yes!

I've got a load of fresh horse manure sitting in my paddock in plastic bags. I'd like to season this for a few months before putting it on my orchard in Spring. Question is, will the manure season OK where it is in the bags, or do I need to get it out of the bags, into a mound on the ground (and protected from rain) to season properly? I'm hoping it'll be Ok where it is, I'm sure the bags aren't all that air or water tight, but does the manure need to be in direct contact with the ground? To let worms and bacteria etc. in?

Thanks.

SS

 

[dairyrow]

needs to be aerated. Having it bags would stop the air getting to it

 

[sandspider]

Thanks DR. I've done a bit of googling, and it seems that the answer is probably yes, but it's worth poking the odd hole in the bags (already mostly holed!) and putting in a few worms from the compst heap.

 

[Oat]

You may find that UV light and general weathering breaks down or weakens the bags, so when you try to move them in the Spring, they will fall apart. You are then left with a pile of s4it with pieces of pladtic in it.

As others have said, mix it every so often to aerate it, and don't let it dry out

 

[Stewart Setter]

Definitely need to let the air get to it. Also agree with above, plastic bags may get brittle.

 

[Dry Rot]

If you won't have any horses in the orchard for a few months, I'd just tip it out. I am assuming you are primarily worried about worm eggs surviving. I very much doubt they will if exposed to the manure heating, the elements, plus UV light.

No poo picking here, all harrowed and the field rested plus occasional FECs. Horses look fine and the fields are healthy with plenty of worm casts. Vets make money from selling wormer, so of course they recommend regular dosing.

If it's the break down of bedding, then I agree the above.

 

[Stewart Setter]

Best thing to keep eggs and larvae down in manure is let chickens walk all over it.. not only do the eat all the beasties they also aerate it for you too.. not sure if the works large scale mind you

 

[sandspider]

Cheers all.

Just to clarify, I'm not really bothered about worm eggs as I don't keep horses, I'm just going to use the manure on my orchard. No livestock in this paddock. (Though there are horses and sheep in the field next door)

My understanding is that it's better to season manure before applying it to trees, as it can be too "rich" when fresh? (Though I think horse manure isn't as bad for this as chicken, pig etc. manure).

As the bags are already in roughly the right place, I'm happy to leave them where they are. If they degrade too much I'll get rid of them sooner and let the manure roam free!