Empty plot over the winter - to cover or not

Shame on you Scarlet. There is still loads of stuff you can plant. Even a green manure would be better than nothing.

Is there a green manure that dies before spring, doesn't seed itself and doesn't need to be dug in?

I dunno Veggie? I prefer to keep crops in ground over winter myself.

Its time to sow broadies and field beans are a  similar to broadies but would need to be hoed or dug in I imagine?

Sorry, but I have a dislike of non organic ground coverings, especially black plastic. Maybe its a 'me' thing, but hey ho.

But the dahlias won't be dug out in time for that? I would leave the tubers in if I could but the ground is clay and come jan is often very wet so they rot.

i don't like black plastic either so I'm looking for other options.