Are you in a dry area or has it been extra dry lately? Is the soil dry down deep after mixing the soil up good?

Manure is best added the fall or summer before.

Indeed, if the manure isn't composted, you'd need to leave it for a while. But composted manure would be fine to add now.

I guess I don't understand the question. Soil dries out regularly depending on your climate. So it has to be watered regularly either by rainfall or by you. But if it is only the soil surface that looks dry to you that is common, especially if it is windy or warm. But the surface is not a valid indicator of the soil moisture level. Stick you fingers down into it to determine if it needs water or not.

Dave

It also looks like you turned that soil over while it was still wet. You may be dealing with those clay balls for the whole season if that were the case.

tj

mulch mulch mulch. You still need to water, but the mulch helps a lot.