Hello

I am a novice gardener and I have recently been some very helpful advice
from the members of this group regarding starting a vegetable patch.

I have now dug my patch and planted my first batch of lettuces and
strawberries. However, my questions relates to compost. My neighbour has
kindly donated a bucket of homemade compost and I am not sure what to do
with it. All the books I have read on the subject have advised to mix the
compost with the soil before planting. I have already planted so can I just
spread the compost on the surface of the soil? Would that benefit the
plants at all?

Thanks in advance

Jo