Hi Charles
I have eight 5m x 1.5m raised beds that were there when I took allotment plot on. I removed all the wooden sides and for planting speed this year I left them as humps which I covered with bought in cow manure/spent mushroom compost.
I want to level the plot and change the layout but I have questions:
1. I can’t think of a way of levelling without digging or rotivating? The beds are 18″ deep and I want to bring everything down to path level.
2. If I flatten by spreading the soil out and covering with compost, how will I stand with not planting the same crops if the earth has been spread?
3. Should I level and, although no weeds, cover with cardboard and smother with 6″ compost” – would that help with crop rotation?
4. If I manage to get this sorted very soon, can I just cover with manure (stables next door) and leave uncovered over winter for worms to work their magic?
Thanks so much for any advice.
Barbie