to cover or not to cover?

[reddyreddy]

I have dug over most of my now empty beds, should I cover manure and then with weed membrane until spring or leave alone? Do weeds grow much in winter?!

[reddyreddy]

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

no, weeds dont grow much in winter, so you might not need to cover.  Lay over a mulch and dig it in in spring I think would work.

[saddad]

If you cover it less nutrients will be washed into the sub-soil (leaching) I don't bother personally...  :-\

[motherhen]

Quite a lot of my beds are in use over the winter with winter/spring brassicas, overwintering broad beans, garlic, overwintering onions and shallots.  However those that are empty get well tucked up for winter.  I put on a layer of whatever home-made compost I've got going.  Then I put on a good layer of freshly collected fallen leaves.  On top of that I put a layer of cardboard which I soak well.  Then finally a thick layer of straw - again well wetted which holds it in place during winter gales.  This all creates a wonderful environment for worms etc.  When I unwrap in the spring I find the leaves and cardboard are all eaten by the worms and incorporated into the  soil and the straw layer is the right amount of weathered and soaked to go onto my QR compost heaps.

I have a heavy clay soil so getting as much organic matter as possible into the soil is important and this is a good way for me to do it with minimal effort and maximal effect.

I also have raised beds, each originally double-dug by me, and now treated as no-dig beds.  In terms of the quality of my soil and the produce I get (even fantastic carrots on a site that is regarded as impossible for carrots) this method works really well for me.

[elvis2003]

wow motherhen,thats a lot of effort to go for,sounds brill though,well done you!
i would cover if was going to those lengths,,otherwise not,its a pet hate of mine seeing plots covered in plastic/carpets/anything else,and the frost cant get in to do its job

[Chrispy]

I only moved to this plot last autumn, (moved from my half plot) and not all has been dug yet so once dug I will be leaving most of it uncovered, to let the frost get to it to help break up the heavy clods.

Having said that, motherhens idea is sounds good, may give that a try on a small section.

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

any area you are not manuring you could lime if soil is heavy.

[landimad]

I would leave it rough dug for the frosts to get to work on breaking down the clods.
If you can do not walk on it and let it go fallow until you are ready to grow your crops.
Get a plan in place so you are ready to go when the weather seems to be in your favour.

There should not be to much weed growth until next year, when a years seed bring forth seven years weed. Unless you are quick to lift and hoe around the area.

[reddyreddy]

Thanks all, will leave uncovered and get ready for a quick dig over come spring, it's all looking lovely I must say, perfectly raked and weed free! This has been my first full year on my allotment and I'm amazed at what lovely stuff I have managed to produce even with my tiny amount of knowledge!!

[angle shades]

 :D I'm covering mine with cardboard and manure after I've cleared the beds,

we have had no rain here for well over a month and the weather is very warm, if we now get some rain and warm weather we will get weeds, as I am now working full time I've got to make it easier for me ,so cardboard it is / shades x