Manure trip

Kathy and ben had an outing to collect manure on Saturday. Animal manure is about the best and most natural thing a gardener or allotmenteer can dig into their soil. Humankind has been doing it for millenia. Not only is it full of essential nutrients to feed the plants as they grow, but it also improves the soil structure; breaks down the heavy clay we have at Stapleford; and helps it to hold water, which reduces the amount of heavy work we'll have to put in with the watering cans in the dry summer months.

Now a morning spent digging poo doesn't immediately seem like most people's idea of a good time, but this little outing had a very special destination. We collected the manure from the lovely people at Brinsley Animal Rescue centre. They do an amazing job, giving a second chance to sick, injured, and unwanted animals: anything from accident-prone hedgehogs, through rescued battery hens, to large farm animals that are 'uneconomical' for farm businesses to maintain. They are all looked after lovingly by volunteers whose vegan principles ensure that the animal's well being always come first. Do please find out more about them by clicking on the link.

So the digging work was so much more enjoyable because we were in a lovely sunny paddock, surrounded by creatures that are clearly well and happy and enjoying their new lease of life at Brinsley. We had to dig carefully as we were soon surrounded by hens, clucking away contentedly as they picked over the newly-turned manure for earthworms worms and insects. The biggest distraction was Bruce, the bull (pictured above) who was saved from being destroyed by the farmer who didn't want him because he was born blind. He spent much of his time cantering around the grass or nuzzling up to us.

As an added benefit for Dig In, the manure is so much better than regular farm manure. That's because, aside from the legally-stipulated inocculations, all the animals are treated with homoeopathic remedies (as well as love) so their poo isn't full of antibiotic residue. So there's no danger of filling the soil, and hence our crops, with unwanted medications.

Thanks to everyone at Brinsley Animal Rescue.