Can I plant a cover crop (Fall Rye) over new bulbs?

I just created two new small raised beds for some bulbs (daffodil, crocus, hyacinth, grape hyacinth). The heavy clay soil stinks, but I'm getting lots of sand and some steer manure compost into it, plus peat and coir. One bed wil be 16" deep, the other around 10" (which may not be enough).

I figure the soil could use some help, and the surface is naked. How about a cover crop?

Once I put the new bulbs down 5-8", will it hurt them to sow fall rye or a "soil builder mix" cover crop over them? Come very early spring, I would pull it out, or "shave" the top inch using a mattock blade, so as not to hurt the crocuses. These beds will only be a square yard or so each.

Or, being annual cover cropss, could I just "cut the grass" in late winter, and let the bulbs push through the sod?

Or is this just a bad idea? Is it OK to leave the new beds bare all winter? Or should I buy mulch?

Corey

I shouldn't think overplanting would hurt as long as it is a wintercrop that will die in spring heat or when mowed.

If not, I would for certain use a mulch. Here we use pine straw which is free and plentiful. You might look around there for a similar organic mulch like pine straw or leaves?

>> I shouldn't think overplanting would hurt as long as it is a wintercrop that will die in spring heat or when mowed.

Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear. Next spring, I should know!

>> Here we use pine straw which is free and plentiful.

I live in almost-a-city, so I might browse Starbucks for used coffee grounds. Other than that, free mulch would mean paper or cardboard. I am composting my own small amount of "yard waste", but it's so woody, it won't be ready this year.

I've come to like coconut "coir" since it's cheaper than peat moss, is easier to hydrate once dry, and is renewable. If I found a cheap source, I like any finely shredded mulch that will mostly decompose in a year. The soil needs the carbon!

I always wondered: what IS "pine straw"? Wood shavings? Plain old pine needles?

Corey

Pine needles and no, they don't change the PH of the soil but will break down like other composts.
They also have the advantage of allowing water thru but blocking most unwanted growth.
It also prevents evaporation which really helps in this southern climate.
You can mulch lightly so bulbs will sprout thru but it will keep soil errosion to a minimum.
It doesn't compact and also stays in place ~ that is, as long as the household pets don't relocate it. lol

Here in east TX, it is free for the taking. Some forestry people have made a business of harvesting and and baling it to sell at the garden centers. It is also quite attractive as a background for green foliage.

Hard to see it in the background but these snowdrops bloom thru it in February.