Hi

[greenfingers007]

Will be down at the allotment this weekend and putting down about two - three inches of leaf mold on top of my soil, following advice of people on this site I will be letting the worms earn their keep, question is is it too late for this or am I still ok, many thanks.

[zazen999]

Nah, you can do it any time, really. The worms don't mind!

I put compost on mine once each bed is dug over, as we empty and fill beds during the winter as much as during the autumn.

[greenfingers007]

I would love to bang some compost down but don't have any and not able to get hold of any so will just be trying to improve the soil for next year and get a good old compost bin going as soon as possible.

Cheers Zazen999

[bobleponge]

Get it in there Greenfingers. As Zazen says, the worms dont mind at all. You need to be careful with rotted manure, but leaf mould is a winner all year round.

[kate&rob]

why do you need to be careful with manure bobleponge? i've just had a delivery of horse manure and intend putting it on as and when the beds are dug over,if we can get them done this year! weather not ideal is it!

[Two_Sheds]

why do you need to be careful with manure

a) it may be full of weed seeds
b) it may be full of herbicide that will kill all your plants (see previous threads)

[Two_Sheds]

Will be down at the allotment this weekend and putting down about two - three inches of leaf mold on top of my soil... is it too late for this

Leaf mold or just leaves? (they'll blow around )

It's never too late to improve your soil.

[kate&rob]

i have been asured that the manure is ok for weed killer, just wondered if there was something else i ought to know.

[bobleponge]

KateandRob, both those reasons that TS gave, but also if it isnt rotted well enough and you plant carrots/parsnips etc you risk Esther Rantzen shaped veggies, as they will fork.
Greenfingers if its leaf mold no worries, but even if they are just leaves, dig them in and they will rot down no worries

[cupcake]

Kateandrob! You really need well rotted manure, or it will burn your plants and you'll end up with endless weed seeds! I know, I did it years ago! Judi

[Snadger]

I don't really get too bogged down (excuse the pun) with what type of organic matter I add to the soil at this time of year. Yes, well rotted is best but 'summat is better than nowt'
I got the chance of some fresh horse muck and just piled it (about six barrow loads) in a trench where my runner beans will be next year. By the time I plant em it'll be ok!

I do similar to Zazen........as a bed is cleared it is mucked, no matter what time of year it is, and with whatever I have available at the time!

I wouldn't put fresh muck around growing veg though!