Yes you will lose nitrogen if you add more wood shavings but if you must plant that area with legumes. I would compost even for short amount of time, because there could be some fresh mixed in and everyone is worried about e-coli bacteria.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials

The stuff that has been in there for a year is probably already compost. If you can't separate the older stuff from the newer stuff, I would compost it. Turkey manure is pretty "hot" (high in nitrogen) and can burn if used directly.

Depending on how much bedding material is mixed in, you may need to add some wood shavings to offset the nitrogen in the manure. If it starts to stink as it decomposes, you need more carbon and wood shavings would be a good source of carbon.

Adding the wood shavings will not have much of an effect on the pH of the final product. Compost is almost always pretty close to neutral, not matter what went into it in the first place.

Thanks so much for the replies.

What do you think is more beneficial. Add wood ashes and compost for a month OR add wood ashes,till into the soil, cover with clear plastic for a several weeks til planting?

My compost pile is new and not broken down much yet. Still frosting sometimes and only in the 50's here in Jersey.

Thanks again.

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How long has your compost pile been operational? It's probably working just fine inside. You would probably want to turn it once a week or so, and scrape all the outside stuff and turn it to the inside so it all gets worked in, if you want to use it in a month. Making sure that all areas of the pile get heated will do a lot toward killing off the pathogens.

Toss some wood ashes and a couple of shovelsful of regular soil into the compost as you turn it.

Then spread the compost over your planting area and work it into the top four inches or so, certainly not deeper than 6.5". It doesn't have to be broken down completely to add to the soil.

Sue

The pile has only been there a couple months max and its an open pile. Maybe I'll put the wood ashes on the manure and then put it on the pile, turn it over and cover it with a tarp. Hopefully, that will bring he heat up?