[freefolk]

Good evening,

we are planning to put down 4 raised beds at the end of this season (multiple arthritic joints a factor!😕)  Once we have put the frames in place, is it best to fill with compost/soil  straight away and let it settle over winter, or cover the ground with cardboard/weed proof sheet and add soil etc in early new year?

Thanks for any advice.☺🐌🌱

Freefolk (newbie!)

[snowdrops]

Depends on what weeds are there, if they're perennials like couch grass,horsetail,thistles,nettles would be best to dig out as much as you can, if they're annuals then yes cover with cardboard followed by as much manure as you can get, finishing with top soil if you can get it. Some people add bought potting compost instead

[freefolk]

Thank you snowdrops, I assume you mean to let the compost/soil sit over the winter period, is this correct?

[snowdrops]

Yes if you have the time, if it's well rotted manure you could start to use the beds but be aware they'll sink as they settle so would need topping up eventually

[freefolk]

Your comments/advice very much appreciated. 

[snowdrops]

You could as well to save some work cover the final layer with a weed suppressant membrane to exclude winter weed growth, if all your beds are the same size one size would fit all, same for mesh,netting etc, saves work in the long run. But do uncover in spring a couple of weeks before planting sowing to allow for a flush of weed seedlings or even two, which can then be hoed off, thus giving your seeds a fighting chance