Question
A neighbor last summer saved me some horse manure and I brought it home and let it sit around for a few months, then in the fall I poured it out and dug it in with a pitchfork.  It has been there since then.  Is there anything to do with it before I put down seed other than rake and even out the area? Thanks for your help.

Answer
It is critical that you compost this stuff before you use any of it.  Used straight out of the horse, it will kill everything it comes in contact with that's green.  Although it has aged somewhat, I urge you to find a good place for it in the corner of your garden and put any future manure there for a minimum of 1 to 3 months before using it.

Now that you have incorporated your manure into the soil anyway, without aging, I think it's time to turn the area again (on a dry day when soil is relatively dry) and wait another month, then have the "soil" mixture tested.

You want to make sure the pH is at least tolerable.  Once you get the goahead from the soil testing service, you're in business.

At some point, you will be guaranteed to have the best soil in town.  Right now unfortunately I think you are just going to have to wait for that honor.