Recycling, Back To Its Roots

Donkeys are helping gardeners, as ELIZABETH EDWIN explains

- Elizabeth Edwin

THE USE of equine manure has been valued for centuries past. When horse-drawn transport brought deliveries to a country village, its residents would rush outside with their shovels to be first to pick up the ‘deposits’. Their gardens would benefit throughout the growing season from the nourishment they spread on it.

Gardeners of the 21st century can benefit in the same way – but by much easier means. They can buy compost containing donkey manure.

The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth is well known throughout this country and in many overseas for its extensive welfare work.

Its farms in Devon and elsewhere are havens of security for its donkeys, and on these farms it takes an environmental approach to the management of its land.