Another question about manure!

Usually over two years old is well rotted.

Bulk bags of compost will also help. If the gravel gets dug in as you go it will be good for drainage.

I would think that the shop wouldn't sell manure which would burn your plants i.e. under 2 yrs old - but just ask them .
Queenie

Thanks, I'll ask them how old it is, then I'll know. I wasn't sure how long it would take to rot.

I wouldn't recommend digging in the gravel unless your soil is clay - its not terribly useful if your soil is light already. On the subject of manure, well rotted horse manure should be fine, but you could also use spent mushroom compost, compost from the recyling centre of your council, if they sell it, bagged organic soil conditioning compost from garden centres. Any of these to be incorporated when the digging takes place. you will need to add nitrogen when you plant, something like loads of Growmore, till its white like light snow, sprinkled over and dug in too. But don't use that past mid August, tops, add it next year in the spring if you're too late. And some fish, blood and bone in the planting holes once you get round to planting will help too.

Thank you Bamboo for your advice, much appreciated! Our soil is clay, as it happens, so I suppose a little of the gravel wouldn't harm, but I'm intending to keep quite a bit of the gravelled area, so was just going to brush the gravel away from the areas that I want to plant up (we're going to edge them to retain the gravel). The gravel could do with a boost - it's not as deep as it could be, mainly because I keep pinching it to put it in the bottom of pots! So the gravel that I brush away will boost the level of the gravelled area we are keeping. Does that make sense?! Think I'm rambling ...

Know what you mean about pinching gravel Jan. Bottom of pots, top of pots, a bit over here and a bit over there and ....oops half the drives's gone. Hubby wonders where it all goes to! Just had a huge bag delivered so plenty more to 'pinch' now.

If its heavy clay I'd recommend getting some horticultural grade grit from the garden centre and mix that in as well. If its not too bad, then the organic matter you add will help it.

An easy way to tell if horse manure is well rotted or not......Smell it, if it smells like pooh then thats what it is, if it smells sweet like freshly dug earth then ditto you've got well rotted manure. :~))

Thank you Lily, Bamboo and Ian - now then, I had in the back of my mind about sniffing the manure, Ian! Now how can I go about that without getting some funny looks?! (Don't worry, I'm used to funny looks, I'll chance it.)

Oh thats easy Jan, open the bag/sack if its still pooh then you won't have to get to close to find out. (Lol)

Actually I think you have to shovel it into bags yourself! So I'll just have to sniff the pile. That should be easier! Actually, I couldn't smell anything coming from it when I last visited, and was standing only a few feet away, so maybe I don't need to worry!

I think your safe then Jan, You'll certainly know when you start shovelling. :~))

Well I was thinking of taking hubby along for that one Ian! He's my Mr Muscle, although he's small and mighty.

LOL Jan, we do have our uses. :~))
And noses !!!!!

And you know how to pick em ... sorry couldn't resist that. Well Ian I think I'm retiring to my bed now - this gardening site is certainly addictive but unfortunately I need to be up early in the morning because just occasionally work gets in the way of gardening, boo hiss. Still waiting to win that lottery, still I'm lucky, I only work part-time. Just been looking at some of your blogs, made me laugh they did. Night night.

Good night sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite..............