Stitch, one thing about using manure is you will get more weeds. We put down newspaper then mulch on top of that. Keeps the weeds at bay. We also water one time a year with a mixture of water, regular cocacola and amonia. You only use it once otherwise you get all leaves and no veggies. But if you use it once, the stuff just about jumps out of the ground! It is one regular bottle of coke, 1/2 cup amonia and 5 gallons of water. Water everything really good. We also swear by miricle grow. We water with that about once a month. Between it all, we end up with a pretty good garden.