[tryx]

should horse manure be put on top of soil and dug in later or  dig in straight away then cover section with black plastic till ready to use?

[DD.]

Provided it's not fresh, you can do either, but why cover in plastic - especially at this time of year when the weeds are not actively growing?

You're providing a layer of protection from any frost that will get into the soil, help break it up and kill a few slugs on its way.

[BabbyAnn]

On my heavy soil, I found digging it in was more beneficial come spring.  I discovered the first time I put the manure on the top, the supposed "let the worms do all the work" was just a myth and it did nothing to the soil at all (I had hoped it would make it easier to dig over - not)

but why cover in plastic - especially at this time of year when the weeds are not actively growing?

You're providing a layer of protection from any frost that will get into the soil, help break it up and kill a few slugs on its way.

It does provide a haven for slugs and snails doesn't it - but it can actually be a good way to catch the blighters too when they are all stuck underneath so you can pick them off and dispose of as you like.  But I'd agree that leaving the bed open to weathering also helps to break down the manure into something more useful by spring.

Save your black plastic for early spring when the sun's strength increases - black absorbs the heat and helps to warm the soil up better than if it is open especially on heavy soil.  First it encourages weed seedlings to germinate which you can either lift the plastic up and hoe off or leave the plastic down and sheer lack of light will eventually kill them off (depends on when you intend sowing/planting)

[Aunt Sally]

You're providing a layer of protection from any frost that will get into the soil, help break it up and kill a few slugs on its way.

I would also like to say that you should not spread manure or compost onto soil witch is frosted or frozen as it will lock the cold in and stop it warming up.  Repeated freeze/thaw is what is needed to break up the soil and kill the slugs.

[DD.]

Also your slug problem is not just those you see when you lift the plastic.

One of the main offenders are those you can't see and live underground - the black keeled slugs - that make all those holes in your produce.

Black plastic will keep the sub-soil nice and warm for them and they won't offer themselves up by coming to the surface.

[Yana]

Now I'm confused (easily done most would say).
I thought that if you leave the earth exposed to the elements that the rain will leach the goodness out of the manure? I've loaded my soil with manure, givenit a gentle forking over and covered it.
Is the consensus that I should remove the cover??

[Aunt Sally]

I wouldn't cover it.

Don't confuse soil conditioner (compost and manure) with plant food.

[tryx]

I thought that if you leave the earth exposed to the elements that the rain will leach the goodness out of the manure? 

  this was by belief,shall remove plastic till later but next autumn sow green manure over them.

Don't confuse soil conditioner (compost and manure) with plant food.

thank you for pointing this out as i thought manure was as good as plant food

[Totty]

No doubt, don't cover. If you have spread alot of manure over the ground i would dig it in totally and leave it a little on the rough side. Let the winter frost and rain help to break the soil down, then come spring give a feed of BFB or growmore at the recommended rate before breaking up the clumps you left (this will be easy now) and raking to a fine tilth.

You will have then conditioned your soil and added some nutrients with the addition of manure, and given it a good balanced feed with the BFB, and be left with a fine and highly workable tilth.

Totty

[Yana]

Ok ta. And thanks for the explanation about soil conditioner and plant food.