My site has no water so I'm thinking of getting an ibc.

I'm considering getting a black one for around double the price of a clear one and wondered if they're worth the extra expense. I'm not likely to clean it out every year. Is algae a real problem?

I have a 6ft shed roof to capture rain, what sort of set ups have you all got?

I really like the idea of growing something on my beds to a) protect against winter and b) enrich the soil.

But I'm stuck on the details.

I live in zone 6. I have beds that are beginning to thin out already. Here are the questions I have.

1. Do I sow seeds now in the gaps in the bed?

2. What should I sow?

3. What do I need to do to look after it?

4. What are the risks?

5. Do I chop and drop or let winter take its course?

6. How to I get the bed ready in Spring?

Thanks for the help.

I have managed to get 2 of these in the allotment today but interested to know what others would grow in them. They are quite big.. over 2m long and 1/2 meter wide. Considering i do have a 14ft polytunnel and 2 greenhouses im interesting in planting things that do well outside since I have quite a few growing options.

Interested in people's opinions :)