Bring it back home

Today is the day for collecting the big pile of manure using the benefits of modern motorised automation. (See my eariler post for some background) So it's off early in the morning to arrive at 8:30 at the equipment shed, and then on to the field.

Loading the truck was simple and efficient, the tractor, the trailer and the loader all got into the field (and out again) with no problems. A bit tight perhaps through the gate, but OK.

And now I am the proud owner of the biggest heap of manure I have ever had. I do hope my plants appreciate the efforts I go to for them!





The loader looks vicious, but is quite tame really. Here he is, smiling for the camera.














A big gulp of manure....














And into the truck













Finally, it all gets delivered in a big pile in my garden, ready for use

Great big steaming heap of manure

The best thing about horses (in my view) is that garden plants like the manure they make. The second best thing about horses is that they make lots of it.

A lovely lady not far from me has two horses, and she has been carefully heaping up their droppings in a corner of her field, for a couple of years. It's wonderful stuff, well rotted, ideal for the garden. I have collected a few loads before, in my trailer, and arranged, this time with my Dutch gardening enthusiast friend, to visit again.

Collecting it is not without its hazards: last time my car got stuck coming out of the field, and the wife had to come and rescue me, bringing a pair of steel ramps to get me over the steep slippery bit. My Dutch friend was having none of this, leaving his car outside the field while I drove in (armed with ramps this time, just in case).

All was well. We filled my trailer and wheeled several barrow-loads each out of the field to his waiting car and trailer, and took them home. Now he wants to go industrial and hire a lorry and digger and collect the whole lot in one go. Economies of scale (and of effort) do make this attractive, but originally, I had, essentially, an inexhaustable supply that I didn't have to store, and could collect whenever I wanted. And it was free. Hmmm. Be careful what you wish for.




A trailer load for me














Some barrows for him