[SidReal]

Hi there, despite my intention of following a no dig methodology, I gave up on that for the timebeing after being introduced to bindweed root.
As a result, I am conducting a full weeding out on my new and overgrown allotment space as well as forking for bindweed root, essentially leaving the soil bare. For this first year, I will be planting various green manures over the land to help protect the soil over the winter, keep weeds down ready for a nice start next year.
I want to protect exposed soil while I carry this out and with my budget I figure a hearty mulch may do the job, straw based but I imagine sterilised of seed. At the same time, I want to get the clover growing on and in this mulch - but heres the question
I know that when digging in green manure / applying compost material directly to soil, there is a 4-6 week period where this decomposition prevents or impairs germination because of chemicals released in the process... does anyone know through experience if I were to distribute soaked clover seed over the exposed soil, and put a layer of organic mulch over this seed (or the seed over the mulch) - would this be successful or might the mulch be equivalent to decaying matter and disrupt the clover from establishing

cheers for any thoughts


Tim