Anyone????

OK...I'll take a shot at it.

I use Black Kow AGED manure compost quite liberally with no adverse effects; quite the opposite in fact. The emphasis is on AGED as raw manure will burn the plants. Another poster on this forum, Jen, had hers planted in nothing but compost (although I'm not sure what kind) and the only ill effects that she reported was that the compost compacted and sunk over time requiring more to be added. Personally, I can't see where it would hurt, but if you read the fine print on the bag, I'm sure they will warn against it if it is harmful. Sorry I can't be of more help......yg

The main concern I would have is that you might create a sink hole for water. Depends on your soil. I have heavy clay and rocks here. I do amend about 1/3 of the soil with composted manure from bags - seems to be just enough for me to improve the overall texture and health of the soil without creating a sink hole effect where the water just drains all the way through.

Interesting. I never thought about that 'sinking' effect.
Now I know why is one of my PGs become uprooted.
It was planted in a woods in a place of a former compost pile. It was very easy to dig the hole, no tangled roots, no rocks, but the very next spring large portion of the roots become exposed. I thought it was an erosion (site is slightly sloping) and added more soil and a few rocks to keep it in place, but now I see the same picture and finaly know what cause it. Thanks for the lesson.

Thanks for your thoughts. I would amend the soil if it was an option. The area is next to my house and the builder left mortor, bricks, sand and other materials where they fell and covered it up. I dug down about 2 feet and finally hit clay. I will keep an eye out for compaction and sinking.

It sounds like you're talking about a raised bed. As Yellowgirl noted, I built a raised bed made of 100% compost (my compost originated from grass clippings and shredded leaves, but was completely composted when I used it to build my beds.) Three years later, I'm happy to report that the beds really haven't sunk. I added a little more soil/compost in the first season to one or two plants that were showing roots, but that's it. Of course, I continue to add shredded leaves and other organic material every year. My plants are extremely happy.