Should my beds remain covered??

[7oaksvegman]

Hi all.

Ive just been out in the veg plot and removed all the black poly that has been covering my beds and helping supress any weeds aswell as assit the decomposition of the manure I forked in about 4 or 5 months ago.

The thing im not sure about is wheather to put my polythene back on the beds for another month ( or until I need to plant out) or if Id be better leaving it uncoverd to let the frost get to it to break it all down further and help kill off any weeds that may try and settle in.

Also... Im based in Sevenoaks in kent and wondered if theres anyone else from my area that may know whens best with our local weather to start planting out?

[mothhawk]

I'd leave it covered. It will stay that bit warmer than uncovered ground, and when the sun shines it will warm up more. That will encourage worms and other soil fauna and bacteria to be more active, which will do far more to break up and mix your soil and manure than any potential frost will.

Plus when you are ready to plant out, the increased warmth of the soil will help your plants off to a good start.

[Aberdeenplotter]

It's not just the frost that the ground needs exposed to. It also needs to be able to absorb moisture over the winter and a plastic cover will run all the moisture off. (Unless your on a flood plain somewhere and II really do sympathise with such folk). Far better to cover with cardboard or symply mulch

[Kristen]

I would let some frost and weather in during February and recover in March. The black plastic will raise the temperature, and heat the soil, and also encourage the weeds to germinate / grow and they will use up their strength under the black plastic by the time you sow / plant.

[Veggielot]

I would leave them covered for now unless you are going to plant something now which is probably to early. Frost is supposed to help break up clods but unless you have particularly large lumps I would worry about that, abit of extra digging/hoeing will work just as well.

I agree with AP, wouldn't choose plastic, I go for cardboard. You could put a few holes in to let the water threw.

[crannman]

mine are covered with tarps checked up on then today soil looks good no weeds too the one bed that still has stuff growing has a few weeds here and there will roll tarps back when we have a cold spell