Manure is likely to be too strong and burn the roots.

Sorry moon I have to disagree!

To explain; with lots of plants I would agree with you, but not tomatoes!

As you may well know, tomato roots are basically in two parts, the feeding roots at the top, which I agree raw manure could burn, but the lower roots are water roots and these I have found are not affected by the raw manure! see the slide show here;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Ring%20Culture/ring%20culture.swf

I recall the first time I did this I was a bit apprehensive because of the 'burning' issue, but I am one who loves to experiment so I risked it,and it worked!

My theory was; I was not after the fertiliser content of the manure, which was probably minimal in the first place, no I was wanting to form a moisture reservoir that would see my plants through my working day (this was before I retired now it is not so important)

So my answer is yes it is OK to do as you ask.

As an aside; I don't know what size you plants are at the moment, but initially I would ensure that there is some compost between the newly planted plant and the fresh manure, then all that I have mentioned above should work OK!

Another tip;

Sink an 4"/5"empty pot in the top layer of the compost down to the manure, and this will form a funnel to take water down to the water roots without wahing the compost off the feeding roots.

When feeding direct the water round the edge of the pot and this will avoid the compost being washed off the feeding roots, at the base of the plant.

This method is also useful with cucumbers, as it can help to prevent 'neck rot'

Thanks Tg I've never tried so can't argue - and don't want to!

T.G. Your info - "sink a 4"-5" empty pot etc etc ? i don't understand, is this a bottomless pot ?
I'm soon going to transfer my small toms into the larger pots and looked at your info with interest.
Could you please clarify ?

It's best with bottomless pot but ordinary plant pots will do.

I use half litre cream containers with the bottom cut out to make them bottomless.

There are some pictures here that should clarify what I mean.

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Tomato/Tomato.htm

You will see I use the same system in greenhouse borders as well.

Anything that will get the water down to where it is needed most.

Makes a lot of sense as the water gets where it needs to rather than the top of the pot.

My first time on this site, was very surprised and pleased with the quickness of the replies.. Many thanks.. aprreciated...