Well rotted manure for raised beds

[rana]

I have just constructed some raised beds (about 1' deep) and would like advice on filling with compost.

I have access to a supply of very well rotted horse manure which is in a large pile and many years old. The compost is deep chestnut brown, friable with a peat-like consistency. Also with little odour or sign of the original bedding materials which appear to have completely broken down.

I would like to know whether I can use this in its pure form for planting veg into. The compost looks and feels so good I am loathe to mix it with my claggy clay 'soil'. Does anyone out there have experience of growing directly in such material? I wonder also whether some nutrients (NPK) should be added..

[Bigmallly]

I have grown directly into manure with the exception of Carrots & Parsnips. I didn't add any fertilisers & had good results.

[Kristen]

The compost looks and feels so good I am loathe to mix it with my claggy clay 'soil'.

Sounds fantastic! But I wouldn't be shy about mixing it with the clay, both materials have benefits, and when mixed together you get an open structure that drains better, holds nutrients, and has loads of "life"

For me it would be a foot of manure, or a foot of manure and a foot of cultivated clay, giving a 2' deep "top soil".

[muddled]

I think that just manure might turn out to be a bit light for some crops.

For example, you'll struggle to really firm in cabbages and brussel sprouts with such a friable medium.
I garden on very thick clay and like you, have free access to aged manure.
I find the best results by mixing the two....more clay for brassicas...more manure for squashes and everything else a ratio somewhere in between.

[rana]

Some good advice - thank you all