Thanks for the last couple of replies. I don't really understand RW's scuffle comments, but Potterer, no I don't intend to do any growing this year, so if you think it best to wait for a good rain, then spread a thick layer of manure, I will do this......I only hope ground that has been deprived of worm life for presumably a couple of years will at least attract enough to do a bit of a job on my patch.