mulch on crusty soil?

[caroline7758]

Went to the plot for the first time in a couple of weeks today & found that despite all the rain last week, the sun of the last few days had formed a hard crust on some of the beds. Couldn't face hacking at the surface but wanted to add some organic matter. I covered the surface (not very thickly) with a mixture of manure and leafmould. Now I'm worried that it will just sit on the surface & do no good. There were plenty of worms in the mulch- do you think they will help it to get incorporated, or do I have to go back tomorrow and dig it in?

[caroline7758]

[Hyacinth]

I think I'd go back & give the worms a helping hand if you're wanting to plant the area within the next month or so? Would go over it with a garden fork and help the little loves along - and take it from there. Did you then cover the area with something, plastic/carpetting/cardboard. to keep it warm? It's possible that you might have to dig it in, this time of year - winter there'd have been more time for worms to do their heroic work?

[okra]

Similar problem and I can't believe how quickly the top layer of soil has dried out -perhaps this is due to a lack of organic matter?