New Veggie Bed -- to cover crop, tarp, or...?

Hey everyone! Baby finally had a long enough nap time to let me put a chunk of time into our new veggie beds. Starting with just one for now, and with it just ticking over into Autumn here in Australia I really don't mind if it just sits and waits until the Spring (when we'll also have the rest of the fencing done so won't have to fight chickens off the veggies!). Using the no dig method, cardboard down, and putting a layer of old sheep+cow manure+soil down to begin with, then topping with compost. We have a whole lot of clover seeds available, but I'm not sure if that's just going to be a pain to try and work with come planting, or if that pain is worth it for the nitrogen input. I could also just stick a tarp or something on it, but would probably prefer the soil to be doing something at least and having some growth while it sits. Not sure if there's a better (cheap) solution out there as well? I did have hay as a mulch in veggie beds in a different area and it just all went to seed and became a nightmare to deal with -_-

Also not sold on whether to do raised beds or not. It sounds good in theory, and I like the thought of not having to deal with the grass coming in, but we have a bajillion harlequin bugs that love hiding on and around wood. We also don't have a lot of spare cash at the moment to buy descent bits of timber, so it would have to be a bit scrappy.

Any advice much appreciated, thank you!

Hi Sage,

I will try answering your last question first.  Personally, I am a big believer in a raised bed, especially since you have access to all that manure.  I also understand the No-spare-cash situation, I have been there myself and I have had to make every literal penny count.

Logs/Timber can be good.  Is there any chance that you can get ahold of neem oil?  It is OMRI listed (meaning organic safe and acceptable on this site) and it repels the bugs that would otherwise eat your goodies.  I was thinking that you could drill little holes and apply the Neem oil directly to the logs, thus repelling the nasties exactly from where they like to live.

Just a bit on Neem:  it is a natural plant extract from the Neem tree, a tree oblivious to swarms of locusts.  Neem is repulsive to most insects (we can’t taste it and it’s harmless to us).  Most insects simply ignore Neem treated plants, but those that do eat the Neem quickly loose their appetite and die of starvation.

Other options for raised beds included cement/cinder blocks (can you find disposed blocks or get them for free?), or excavated rocks piled up as small wall.  There are of course many other options but I am trying to think of cheap and easy alternatives.  I used 2x10 lumber (which I think in actual dimensions is 3.75 cm x 25 cm.  They can be as long as you want.  Even if left completely untreated, it should last for some time.  Do you have access to bamboo?  Maybe you could weave a wall out of relatively flexible pieces of bamboo.  I could go on and on.

I should probably have addressed more of the rest of your question, but I think you are on to some great ideas.  Please keep us updated.

Eric

Charles Dowding, while not permaculture,  makes a good argument for no-dig beds without raised sides.   His beds are more like small mounds,  started with compost over cardboard I believe.   Good YouTube chanel/ videos for showing and explaining his techniques!   Might be helpful in deciding.

I have had both raised beds and ground-level beds based on the condition of my soil.

We do raised beds when we have to bring in good soil to replace the rocky poor soil.

Those pictures show you are off to a great start with those beds.

If you have a source of leaves I would top the beds off with those then cover with something to keep the leaves from blowing away, even more cardboard.

You or others might enjoy this thread:

https://permies.com/t/152261/Fall-Leaves

A case where stating the problem gives the answer. For a mild winter having something growing feeds the soil microbes. Stack functions and grow food for the chickens.  Some weeds serve that function. We have 2 here that are ideal, chick weed and dead nettle. The seed over summers and even if not eaten the plants die with the first heat spell.  

f you plan to plant a bed later than early spring plant wheat. Triple stacking, provides food and cover for the soil, straw for mulch an grain for the chickens.  When the grain turns white, cut the stalks at ground level and throw the whole sheaf into the chicken pen, they will do the rest.