If you're wondering when to put horse manure on your garden, the good news is that well-rotted horse manure can be used at several times throughout the gardening year.
The key words here are well-rotted. Fresh horse manure is very different from manure that has been allowed to rot down properly. Puckamuck is well-rotted, peat-free horse manure and soil conditioner, ready to use around your garden.
What is the best time to add horse manure?
Autumn and winter are excellent times to improve your soil with well-rotted horse manure.
Once you've cleared annual crops and tired plants from your beds, adding manure gives the organic matter time to become incorporated into the soil before the next growing season.
You can lightly work it into the soil or leave it on the surface as a mulch.
This is particularly useful for vegetable plots and allotments that have been working hard throughout the summer.
Can I use horse manure in spring?
Yes. Well-rotted horse manure can also be added when you're preparing beds for spring planting.
When mixing Puckamuck into existing soil, we recommend approximately 20% Puckamuck to 80% existing soil.
This helps improve the structure and condition of your soil without unnecessarily replacing what is already there.
It's particularly handy when you're getting vegetable beds, raised beds and borders ready for the growing season.
What about using horse manure as mulch?
You don't always need to dig manure into the ground.
Puckamuck can be spread over the surface of your soil as a mulch. A layer approximately 1.5–2 inches deep can help protect and condition the soil.
Over time, worms and other soil organisms will help draw the organic material down into the ground, meaning nature can do some of the hard work for you!
Can I use well-rotted horse manure during summer?
Yes, well-rotted manure can also be used during the growing season, particularly as a mulch around established plants.
Different plants have different requirements, though, so it's always worth considering what you're growing before adding any soil conditioner.
Why add horse manure to your garden?
Garden soil gets worked hard.
Growing vegetables, flowers and other plants year after year can leave soil needing a little attention. Adding well-rotted horse manure introduces valuable organic matter and can help improve soil structure and its ability to retain moisture.
And that's exactly what Puckamuck was created for.
What is Puckamuck?
Puckamuck is well-rotted, peat-free horse manure and soil conditioner.
It's a convenient way for gardeners to get the benefits of well-rotted horse manure without having to find a local stable, transport loose manure home and wait for it to rot down.
Puckamuck can be used around the garden, including flower beds, vegetable plots, raised beds and allotments.
Whether you're preparing your garden for spring, putting your allotment to bed for winter or simply giving established beds some attention, looking after your soil can make a real difference.
Not sure which plants will benefit most? Read our simple guide to which plants like Puckamuck to discover where to use well-rotted horse manure around your garden.
Happy growing!
Puckamuck – proper muck for proper gardens.