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What's your favorite fall cover crop?

Posted by gardenlover z5/6 OH (My Page) on
Sat, Aug 6, 05 at 21:26

I checked at my local feed store. Two choices - peas and annual rye, and he looked at me like I was stupid when I told him it was for 1/2 acre of land.

I figure peas would add nitrogen, but what exactly does the rye do? Prevent erosion? Does it add anything to the soil?

Johnnys has a neat fall mix, but I'm sure shipping would be way too expensive.

Thanks for any comments!


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RE: What's your favorite fall cover crop?

Cereal rye grass is going to add organic matter to the soil. It's also better than leaving the land barren. The rye doesn't, however, add any nitrogen; but, it's actually better at adding the organic matter than the lugumes (beans, peas, vetches, lupines and clovers). The concept of green manure crops is to grow it thick (which also helps supress weeds), and before it goes to seed mow it or plow it under.

And, correct in your assumption regarding the peas. These lugumes add nitrogen to the soil.


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