It's been a few weeks now since we first started planting our cover crops in the front garden. We have an area on a slope that I was able to plant earlier and it's coming in really nice and thick there. We had to wait for the last harvest of tomatoes and peppers to come in at our prime spot on top of the hill. This area is nice and flat, is open to the south for warm winds, and gets plenty of sun.
We are growing peas and oats because they are great for building up the soil and peas actually add nitrogen into the soil. They are really easy to grow and don't even require tillage generally. We just spread a thin layer of mulch over our peas and oats on top of the hill. They will also help prevent soil erosion which is very important here since our soil is so sandy. You can eat them as well, feed them to your livestock, or compost them. Nothing is wasted here.
When you're planting cover crops, it's generally best to do it right before a good rain. The seeds require water to start the germination process. Its best to keep the seeds moist for at least 5-7 days. If you are tilling the seeds into the dirt they may require less water. Clover, rye, and some root vegetables make great cover crops also.
I love seeing the growth when I come home everyday! Off to a great start!
I'm so naive at all this so probably a daft question here but is harvesting them an issue? (growing together).
These are a cover crop to keep the soil covered and enrich the soil. I'll probably just mow them down in the spring and use them as bedding for my spring crops. I wouldn't harvest them unless it was an emergency situation.
Thank you, not heard of the term 'cover-crops' before. It all makes sense now :)
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My covercrop wheat didn't fare too well, but the sorghum took off like a rocket!
What type of peas are you using?
Austrian winter peas, they're $29 for a 50lb bag at our feed store.
Awesome!
I'll have to go pick up some and see how they do
They germinate at a lower temperature so you still have plenty of time to plant some. I think most guides recommend a 60/40 mix of pea/oats or another type of grass. The peas grow up the taller plant.
Getting big quick! My goats love peas!
Happy Day
Melissa
Great! After such pictures I feel like an ant in the microcosm :))
That's nice! I planted clover and an italian grass-plant for a winter cover crop. I might as well add some peas & oats to the experiment on some new beds... Check out the my post about green manure, follow for more updates on the experiment!
followed.... i ll see the posts......
we here in pakistan are getting all these vegetables all around the year.... the secret is tunnel farming.... both commercial point of view as well as the timely supply of healthy vegetables....
Never heard of tunnel farming before. Sounds interesting!
my goodness.... its so much in here..... ok let me get the pics and all technical information..... where are you from anyway....
Michigan USA
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very beautiful garden! i like it the your post, thanks
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