[greenhead]

I usually dig/manure once a year all the beds on the plot.  My method is trench 1 spit deep lay manure in trench then back fill with the soil from the next trench.  Someone on the site has suggested I need only do this once every 2 years,  I am not sure?  what is your opinion?

Mike.

[Aidy]

I am a once a year chap, however being Blackpool we have the old beach as our growing medium so we need to add as much goodness each year.

I never muck in the patch where the carrots and snips are growing tho!

[mumofstig]

If manure is easy to get, you can always lay some on the surface of the beds and let the worms dig it in - much easier 

[AlaninCarlisle]

If manure is easy to get, you can always lay some on the surface of the beds and let the worms dig it in - much easier 

Depends on the type of manure and its age. Fresh horse/pony droppings can just dry out and never get mixed into the soil until they are dug in, as I discovered this week when I dug over a patch I treated last autumn.

The problem lies with the type of feed that the animals are fed. Autumn/winter feeds tend to be quite dry and the droppings are likewise. They just stay on the surface of the soil and the rain leaches out any soft matter leaving a sort of dry fibrous sponge, a bit like a shredded wheat. Well, you did ask 

[Robster]

Like Aidy I'm a once a year chap.  I put it on the ground when it's free and fork it in if not incorporated a couple of weeks before planting/sowing.  Again I don't manure the root bed.  I also grow green manure when I have space and time.  BFB, chicken manure and a bit of Growmore throughout the season.

[Snoop]

Once a year, then the occasional light repeat scattering for anything I think might like a little bit extra, such as the potatoes. None on the roots.

In your case, did the other person say why? What is your soil like?

[greenhead]

Thanks all for the replies,

My soil is sand coloured  clay one spit down the top layer is earth like,  We get free manure during the Winter/Spring so I tend to use it!!  The allotmenteer didn't say why he manured every 2 years, but I can see why gross feeders liking it every year (spuds) but not much else.  At 73 years, I would do every 2 years if I could get away with it!!

Mike.