[troutman]

If you don't plant a cover crop. You could always place a tarp over it.

[Robbig22]

I think I might go with a tarp thanks I can still mix it up when ever I want that way

[Tynehead Tom]

Originally Posted by troutman

If you don't plant a cover crop. You could always place a tarp over it.

ya trout.... this is how I do it.
We have a bunch of 4x8 planter beds for veggies that we first place a layer of hay and then covered with black plastic tarp. It is important to staple the tarp so we don't get rodents nesting in the hay over winter.
The snowload compresses everything and in spring before planting time comes, once the snow melts the black tarp heats the soil and gets the microbes and such moving.

We do a similar thing with our compost piles and always use Black tarps because they gather heat so well. We get way too cold and too much snow to be tending compost piles over winter. A light layer of hay, a good wetting down and black tarps seem to work well for us.