Q.A garden that has had gravel on weed surpressent I am now over turning for planting. Soil is a dream; will adding manure be sufficient?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
So you removed the gravel and fabric and found what appears to be good soil underneath. That's good news.
Manure only may not be the best material to incorporate. A small amount is okay, but it depends on the state of decomposition, if it has been aged, or composted or not. Raw, fresh manure is quite "hot," meaning high in nitrogen and salts that can have a burning effect on new plantings. If you add it and wait until spring for planting it should be okay. Or compost it with other bulk organic matter content and then use it next spring.
If the manure has been aged or composted, then it is more suitable as a soil amendment, but I would still recommend being conservative on amount used.
The best organic matter to incorporate into the soil for immediate planting is real compost, or nitrogen fortified mulch material.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/composting-basics.htm
