Topic: Unused beds - cover or green manure

[newspud9]

Now that all the garlic is up and following complete disaster with the caulis, I now have 2 beds which are not being used.  Other than using them for over-wintered crops, if I was going to wait to use them again for next season do I cover them up with plastic or sow green manure or...?

Many thanks for all the comments

[lottie lou]

I am going to chuck compost/manure or anything biodegradable on mine and then cover.

[Duke Ellington]

I do the same as lottie lou. I know some dont think its a wise thing to do but I find it saves on a lot of weeding time come the spring and the soil is always in perfect condition when it ready to be planted up again. Rain soaked ground doesn't delay my planting and the soil is warmer.

Duke

[grawrc]

Some I sow with green manure, some I build up to a central ridge  (it improves drainage and warming up after the winter), some I cover. It usually depends what I intend to grow there in the springtime.

[Digeroo]

I think it will depend on your soil and where you are.  It is so dry here that I think that covering now would be a disaster since it would lock in the dryness and the worms will not come up to the surface to sort things out. 

I like green manure personally.  Covering with plastic isn't natural.  There are 2-3 growing months left.  Apart from anything else will also supply me with more mulching material for next year.   

[plainleaf]

Digeroo worns do not move moisture they just eat organic matter and leave worm poo.