manure for onion beds

Our contracts don't allow paving slabs, really can't understand why - but they don't.

That is a shame but I can sort of understand why, a) if they’re laid on concrete it causes a problem for the next tenant
B) if they’re just plonked down they can be very dangerous, a chap on our site has slabs that you have to climb up, he was most affronted when he got a letter telling him to sort them out. Mine are level but each year they need tweaking to keep them level. I think it helped that the membrane was laid on reasonably level hard earth then walked on for a few years before the slabs were added.

Thanks for the response John, yes I too have my reservations about plastic sheeting but hope it may speed up the decomposing element.

If it does become messy or torn I will be taking it off as I too like a tidy plot, if we have a dry spell between now and the spring I could take it off but in west Wales that's probably unlikely and I would hope that between the layer of manure and the sodden soil the worms would be glad not to have to rely on the Lifeboats   

If you cover it with the woven-type of weed control fabric rather than solid plastic sheeting - you will get moisture and air through to the soil, as well as some extra warmth in the Spring if you are on a cold plot.
The worms certainly have no problems under mine. It does need careful fixing/weighing down to stay in place though, I agree!

That's a very good point
Plus it won't deteriorate and can be re-used