WHAT'S THE BEST WINTER COVER CROP

I want to plant a cover crop soon in my new raised beds which I will be using to raise tomatoes next summer.

I am wondering if anyone in here has had experience using different winter cover crops, to the point where they can recommend something for me.....should I plant winter wheat or what?

Owen

Winter wheat seems to work quite well for my wife's grandpa.

Owen
I have used buckwheat the past serval seasons and been happy with it.

As a matter of fact I just ordered 5 pounds today

Paul

This message was edited Thursday, Sep 20th 5:20 PM

Down here most people I've talked to use Crimson Clover.

Here's the best resource you'll ever find for cover crops:

http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/cgi-bin/ccrop.exe

You can read up on every type of cover-crop plant you can think of.

Dave

In companion planting, you can try carrots...they will grow over the winter, and if you keep some of the carrot in the ground as mulch they have a very beneficial effect on tomatoes... my garden was amazing where the previous owner had let his carrots grow all winter, the tomatoes were HUGE and very strong and prolific.

Worth a try!

Just watch out for slugs

Owen...I've used crimson clover for yrs, and love it. Not only is it a nice green all winter but the flowers are gorgeous. It adds right much N to the soil also. I use Buckwheat in the warm months, another great crop becuz of it offering so many different avenues of help. (doesn't grow in the winter tho.) For your tomatoes tho I'd recommend hairy vetch. Broadcast your seed and let it grow all winter. At tomato-planting time you can trim it back a little but don't turn it under. Set you plants right in there with it. Hairy vetch will provide enuff N for your plants and also provide a nice living mulch thru the season. You need add no other plant food (however, I'd check your soil for proper pH as well as perhaps add some ground phosphate rock (NOT Super-phosphate) when you plant the vetch.

Where can I find a *small* amount of Crimson Clover seed? We're talking 150 sf or less to cover, so I don't want a 50 lb. bag, LOL!

vols: I usually buy this kind of seed from our local Farmer's Co-Op. The price is always reasonable and they sell it by the pound (so you can buy just a pound or two).

I checked your area and you have a good looking place to call. If they don't have it, they can refer you to someone who does.

http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypResults.py?stx=co-op&stp=a&tab=&city=Murfreesboro&state=TN&zip=&country=us&slt=35.845600&sln=-86.390297&cs=4

Dave

Well, of course. If they don't sell it at the Co-Op, it ain't worth having. (or is that WalMart?) Yeah, I should have thought of that; our Co-Op is so big, they take up both sides of the street - no lie. (If ya'll EVER make it down here I'll take you over there ;0) Thanks, Dave!!!!

Thanks for all the good input everyone! I finally decided to give the clover a try....just planted it this evening; a bit late in the year, but worth a try. I used inoculant on it also.

I have raised beds with a total of 160 sq. ft., and found that 1/2 lb. of clover seed was plenty.

Owen

I really need to get out to the coop and start thinking about some crimson clover for myself. I have around 40,000 sqft that I want covered, so I better get my backside in gear.

I can't believe it's already time to start thinking about plowing everything under and putting the land to rest until spring. Where did summer, 2001 go?

Dave

Dave, no doubt about it...I think you were happily busy enjoying it! Like they say, "Time flies when you're having fun!"