Preparing new veg plot over the winter

[Habbibu]

We've finally got an overgrown bed cleared of shrubs, etc. I want to start growing veg in the spring. There are a fair number of roots from the shrubs remaining, so my plan is to hire a small rotavator, turn it all over, dig in loads of chicken manure from our hens, and put membrane over it for a few months. How does this sound as a first step? Which membrane is best?

[dreamingofsun]

watching with interest as i'm in similar position. current reading and advice from friends suggests covering with heavy duty black pastic or growing green manure. if you rotivate an area with weeds they reckon it makes the problem worse, ie you get loads of weeds from the chopped roots....not sure if its the same with shrubs - they say its better to hand dig weed roots out.

[Habbibu]

Oh, lord. I may never do it if I have to hand dig the roots. I was hoping leaving the membrane on would kill off the roots from weeds.

[bigwellylittlewelly]

Could be wrong but I think if you get a thick enough black memerane ypu shouldn't even dig it. Just lay the membrane and leave. Then pull out the dead weeds before sowing next year

[Habbibu]

That sounds ideal, but the big shrub roots may scupper planting. In gardening books there are never gardens built on old railway lines and full of shrub roots.

[bigwellylittlewelly]

Apologies, I assumed the major shrun roots would beed to come out, I was thinking mostly weeds.

FWIW gardening books are usually written about gardens where money is no object. We pay £125 a day for two gardeners to help every 3-4 months and do the rest ourselves.

[Habbibu]

Am I going to have to dig the roots out? Eek. I was kind of hoping the rotavator would chop them up so small I could forget them. Boo.