[Kevin Mingay]

Hi thank you for making me welcome.
Advice please. I am in the process of creating new raised beds. I have the offer of free fresh cow manure. Can I add it straight to some of the beds at this time of year or should I compost it first and if so for how long? Many thanks, look forward to wise words.

[snowdrops]

Your fresh manure will compost much quicker in a heap, more so if you turn it every so often too. So turn the outside edges into the middle if that makes sense. Also the bigger the heap the hotter it will get & speed the process up. Ideally there should be no poo smell to it & no visible straw/shavings/lumps of poo before you use it & no heat to it