Fresh manure as base of raised bed

[ellchester]

I just built some raised beeds about 2 feet tall. I put about six inches of fresh horse manure in the bottom and then filled to the top with garden centre compost. I thought that would be cheaper than compost for the whole bed. I then read about the possibilities of e-coli. Would I be best to let the manure underneath the compost rot down and not use the bed this year?

[nickdub]

perfectly OK for veg which you harvest from above ground eg beans, cabbage etc - I'd probably not plant root veg such as carrots or potatoes in it though.

[Snoop Puss]

^Same advice from me.

Hello and welcome, by the way. Hope you have lots of success with this new bed.

[Nicos]

Hi there and welcome to the Vine from me too
^^^^I agree with the others.
Do be aware that as it rots down the soil level will drop. No problem so long as you aren't planting out anything long term perennial ( e.g. Rhubarb)

[fishpond]

Personally, I wouldnt worry about growing anything in it, but as has been pointed out, you will need to top it up as it rots down.

[rary]

If I had been making a raised bed as deep as that I would have put a 12 inch layer of soil/compost in first then the manure followed by more compost that way you could get the use of any heat that may be generated by the manure and grower shallow rooted veg, next year your crop could get the benefit of the composted manure