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Putting raised beds to bed

eyeball_kideyeball_kid Posts: 13
in Fruit & veg
Hi!

My raised beds will be going to sleep for the winter soon and I was wondering what the best way of doing that would be? I’ve acquired a load of cardboard and was wondering if you could cover the beds with that or would that stop nutrients from getting into the soil?

thanks!

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I would mulch them with well-rotted farmyard manure (the stuff from garden centres is perfect for this) which will feed the beds for next year and prevent most weed seeds on the surface from germinating.  You could use cardboard over any areas where you will be growing carrots though, as they won't appreciate being grown in the resulting highly fertile soil which the composted manure layer will produce, once the worms work it down into the soil over the winter. :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I cover mine in a thick layer of mowed over leaves and grass mixed.  I rake the leaves into the lawn and sort of pac-man them up with the lawnmower.  :D. I cover the mix with more mown up grass if it's heavy with leaves, just to help keep them in place with the winter winds.  It mostly rots down by spring, improving the soil and protecting nutrients and microbes over the cold season.  
    Utah, USA.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    I try to find any spare room for everything growing in them in the winter!
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