larger scale

[charles]

For this size of operation you can use smaller amounts of compost, in the 1980s I had 3ha beds and spread 15T/ha each year but was also mulching paths with wheat straw which added goodness. A 2-3cm covering annually of compost is viable on larger scale growing. Sounds like you may have less slugs in drier climate and sandy soil so mulching with hay is probably ok for some crops.