Question for all organic gardeners!
Do you use ground cover and if so which one....
I am currently testing Buckwheat - which is not winter
hardy but the roots - once established from August til
Frost - stick around and improve the soil.
Soybeans?
Rye Grass?
Anything new?
ground covers?
Yep, I normally plant crimson clover for a winter green manure/cover crop. It's not only great to help prevent soil erosion but also adds N to the soil and, of course, blankets the ground helping to keep earthworm and bacteria life in action.
I use buckwheat in the warm months, and broadcast legumes as a "double duty" crop...green manure/food source.
Love them all!~
Agreeing with shoe here - crimson clover is what we use here in Frederick, MD.
We buy it in bulk at Southern States
This message was edited Oct 10, 2003 5:07 PM
I have heard of using white clover but not crimson.
When did you sow your clover?
How long have you both used it?
Did you use an inoculant?
Is it hardy or does it come back in spring?
Do you have to plow it down?
After I sent this it occured to me that some
people call this a cover crop
not a ground cover. Ah regional differences
Thanks for the response
We sow now, actually starting 2 weeks ago. Have used it for 2 years and no, we did not use an inoculant. We till it under as soon as we can work the ground in the spring. We call it a cover crop.
We have 3 acres and use it on about 1. We are slowly combining rotted horse manure on the rest. Our land was, we thought, an old pasture; come to find out than 20 years ago it was the local sod farm which is why there is nothing left as far as nutrients.
Gee - Winchester is just a stone's throw! One of our other DG local friends and I have been dreaming about a spring RoundUp! Would love to meet you!
White clover is fine for many areas. Crimson clover is the "preferred" variety, due to its ability to over-winter a tad bit better, produce more foliage, and is really a great bee magnet!
We sow ours usually in Sept (or about 30-50 days before your first frost). This lets it get settled in good before winter.
I've grown it for at least 15 yrs on our farm, perhaps more.
No inoculent is needed. Simply broadcast the seed, lightly till or rake it under, and walk away.
If you let it seed, then it 'may' come back, but usually you till it under. This adds N to the soil, as well as green matter, aiding in not only breaking up the soil, adding humus, but also giving the soil moisture-holding abilities and encouraging earthworm and azoto-bacteria growth. Pretty cool, eh!?
By the way...never fear, roxroe. A "ground cover" crop in certain circles is something planted to help stop erosion, but also to aid in soil retention/nutrient additions, often-times used for lawns, "natural" areas, sloping land, etc. A "green manure" crop also does that but is geared towards feeding the soil and is usually turned under. A "cover crop" is very similar (and often the same thing) as a green manure crop.
Whichever you choose to call it...just keeping SOMETHING growing on the land is much much better than a bare piece of ground.
I will have to notice whether or not the white clover
overwinters. I had not thought of
using it or crimson as a cover crop since it is hard
to get out of the garden as it is. I don't till
as I used bed gardens
One of the most amazing cover crop stories I saw
as a child. It was a total accident. My Mom ran
a health food store back when this was really a new
thing. She got this idea to grow her own soybeans
and dutifully my grandfather gave her two long rows
of soybeans in his summer garden that grew 3' high.
He had a several acre vegetable garden.
My grandfather would not pick the soybeans
for her though. Well she was really busy so she put it
off and put it off. Finally it was November and
she finally decided to tackle this job - so she rounded
up my sisters and I we marched out and picked for 2 hours
- However we had only advanced 3 feet into one of the
50 foot rows. Cold, tired and discouraged she gave it
up and left the soybeans stand in the garden all winter.
Next Spring my father plowed down the soybeans in preparation for the
spring garden. The place where the soybeans had grown
the soil was black like a magic marker. It was visble
the soil differance from a long distance. Anything
grown there for years had a bumper crop as did anything ajacent.
Has anyone experience with soy? Trouble
is it takes a section out for an entire growing season
but if you were trying to rebuild the soil from nothing,
trying to break up clay soil or trying to break a
hard pan it might be the thing to do.
Yes Dea! I would be delighted to participate in a Round Up
When and Where?
I've used Phacelia tanacetifolia a couple of times in my garden. It enriches phosphorus and potassium content and can be grown as a ground cover between shrubs.
It also attracts lots of hoverflies and other beneficial insects (besides being very attractive)
Dangit, philo...you made me run to the famous PDB on that one!
I had an idea it must be some kind of "tansy" but I was only familiar w/ "Tanacetum vulgare" (sp?).
(Pretty flowers on that Phacelia tanacetifolia...mighty pretty.)
Mmm its only link with proper tansy is that whoever named it thought it had tansy like leaves
It's a good quick grower so if you want a quick boost for the soil sow some and turn it into the soil just before it flowers. I can never bear to do that because the flowers are so full of the hum of bees and look so good :)
Gosh Phil Phacelia tanacetifolia is lovely
but alas not hardy here. If I ever move south
I know what to plant.
It's an annual roxroe, so won't overwinter anywhere.
It should still grow well enough to give you a green manure in summer, but no, it won't give year round ground cover.
I have deep bed system too. Love your soy story :) - those magical legumes!
Phil - do you grow Phacelia tanacetifolia from seed?
When do you sow? It would be similar to buckwheat?
Should I not let the buckwheat flower (huh too late)?
uh oh
"Should I not let the buckwheat flower (huh too late)?"
LOL
Yes, grow it from seed
I just sow like any hardy annual - some time between March and July/August. It self seeds in my garden too :)
Sorry, I haven't grown buckwheat...
roxroe, I prefer to let buckwheat flower.
I tend to not only use it as a cover crop but also as a weed inhibitor AND a beneficial bug magnet. It really brings in the pollinators!
Since I can grow 3 crops of it in one yr I often prefer it to not only flower but to begat seeds. When I till it under the "home grown" seeds contribute to my second or third crop.
As for those who may think buckwheat may become invasive I can only say that here in zone 7a I've witnessed some volunteers but they are few and far between. And, when I do see them I welcome them w/open arms. What a great guest to have return to my gardens.
Horseshoe -
I hadn't noticed that they overwintered here at all or
volunteer......what a nice bonus.
I gather that you grow it under/around the main crop?
roxroe...the plants here definitely won't over-winter (nor where you are either).
The three crops I mentioned above are all grown during the warm months, then tilled in (can be mature and tilled in around 6 wks).
The volunteers I mentioned are when I let them seed out. The seed coat is very hard and can withstand some winter weather, especially if they are tilled and tend to be under ground.
As for growing it under/around the main crop, no. I tend to grow it in areas that are not ready for planting, and in areas that will be intentionally saved for planting later in the yr, or for "in-between" crops. Will also plant it between rows, especially between my wide rows...this helps keep weeds down and bring in the pollinators. When I choose I can easily till under the mature plant and either plant a food crop or another buckwheat planting.
It's a fun plant to play with!
I don't know about enriching the soil, but Henbit and Gill Over the Ground will sure help keep the insects away. Once you pick and sniff it you will know why. Both of them are perennials in zone 5.
never heard of it - but will investigate
EvaMae, both of those grow here also. Unlike other folks around I tend to look forward to them each yr and let them grow thru our winter. Henbit tends to carpet the garden and seems to offer protection.
Roxroe, you may have it up your way and just not know it (yet).
I am sure it is around
does it have another name?
Do you have a picture?
I found this link for you, has good pics too!
http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/henbit.html
yes your are right
that is a very common weed
Don't eat it. It'll make you trot.
(Uhhhhh....somebody ELSE told me so?) :>(
glad to hear that it was hearsey