I would read the book!
re your question about mulching, "putting such a mulch on now in winter will, because the mixture will give off heat, cancel out the idea that you shouldn’t mulch in cold weather as it will prevent the soil warming up?"
this is not right because a hot bed only warms when at least 18 inches and preferably more fresh material is packed into an enclosed space. Even a six inch mulch of unrotted compost would barely heat on the soil.
Fresh manure will protect soil from frost, but then will prevent it wamring so much in the spring, especially if light in colour – and will hold slugs… but not a problem around fruit trees and bushes.