Patridge bantam chicken poorly foot?

[Willow]

Just in case anyone isn't aware...

 

There is a problem with some horse manure containing a new herbicide and it subsequently damaging plants grown in matured land

 

See http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/29/food.agriculture

 

See http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/garden.asp?id=2480 for the official government comment.

[Tara.F]

this is a very widespread problem this year, even affecting store bought bags of manure

 

courgettes and other squashes grown in contaminated manure show no ill effects but the fruit contains 'untested levels' of the pesticide.

Tomatoes, beans etc show very obvious signs.

 

Therefore....if you are growing squashes in manure please consider planting some quick growing french beans alongside them.

If the beans are deformed DON'T EAT THE SQUASH!.

[Snowy]

I think I had a very dodgy bag of compost - everything I planted in it failed My tomato seedlings actually turned blue and curled up!

Not much chance of eating anything at all

[Tara.F]

and the really bad news is that if it was this vile pesticide it renders the ground useless for years

 

sorry snowy

[Olly]

Some friends of mine have just planted their first proper vegetable garden - all organic seeds - this year, and built it up with lots of manure in preparation. They've suffered from this, most of the crops have failed, and as Tara says, it may take over a year before the ground is clear.