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From: seb@mtgzz.UUCP (s.e.badian)
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: Re: Horse Manure
Message-ID: <1296@mtgzz.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 22-Oct-85 15:25:28 EDT
Article-I.D.: mtgzz.1296
Posted: Tue Oct 22 15:25:28 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 23-Oct-85 06:09:02 EDT
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 21


	Horse manure is excellent for enriching the soil. If you have 
sandy soil you will need more than just horse manure. Since sand does
not hold water well (as I'm sure you've noticed) you will also have
to add peat moss or some other material to increase the water retention
of you soil. Peat moss is probably your best bet since it's cheap and
it's acid. I hear that western soils tend to be alkaline and the peat
moss may correct the pH balance also. Don't take me on my word on
that though. That's conjecture on my part.
	To use the horse manure you will have to compost it. It has
to break down before you use it. I'd advise building a compost pile.
I don't think horse manure takes very long to break down. You can
also add any other vegetable organic material to your compost pile.
This will give you more balanced compost. A little of everything.
	The book "Square Foot Gardening" talks about composting and
creating your own soil for gardens. And any good organic gardening
book would probably give you more information.

Sharon Badian
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