Manure to cover or not to cover (That is the question)

[Nigelsmith]

Question ;-) I have tarpaulin over half my allotment and today I have put on a load of horse manure my question is do you think I'm best to keep the tarpaulin over it or leave it off ? Not sure what's best ?

[Newton]

According to Charles Dowding and his no dig method you would be better to leave it off provided you have spread the manure thickly enough to act as an effective light excluding mulch.

However if the manure is fresh it will be some considerable time before the area is ready for planting!

[Two_Sheds]

I would leave the tarp off the manures areas, let the weather get at it ~ it's probably full of weed seeds anyway, horses not having a very efficient digestion