I am preparing my beds for winter. I fought weeds all summer so what I did was lay very thick newspaper & then cover with hay/straw I got from Lowes. I plan on tilling that in during the winter (I am in the south soil does not get too hard). Then I am going to put compost on top of what i till & let it set until March or so when I put in my first crop. I have already laid down all the straw. Is this a good idea? Will rodents & snakes get under there?

I would say so far so good. But don't be in any great rush to till it in. Why not put the compost on top now (along with anything else you can find this time of year, like leaves) and let it sit until spring? If you must till, then wait until things break down a bit more first -- especially those newspapers. For anything you plan to transplant into place next spring, that can be put directly into the semi-composted layer you will have created, so there is really no rush to incorporate the organic material unless you plan to do a lot of planting from seed.

Thanks Liz1!

I agree with Liz--Don't be in a hurry to till it in--compost and keep adding until spring--the more the better. You're headed in the right direction, just keep it up.

I'm with Liz let it sit. Put the compost on top then plant a cover crop with it to keep the compost from washing away in the rain. Almost like lasagna gardening. I have don this for several years & in the spring i till it in after i cut down my winter rye and pull out anything not broken down.