Cover Crop?

[bigredfeather]

I have an area on my property I want to use for garden next year. The soil is very clay heavy in this area. I have read a few places on the net, that a cover crop can improve soil condition.

Does anyone have a good suggestion for a cover crop that would help improve soil. One I am considering is Buckwheat, but I would think there are others that may be better.

Thanks.

 

[vfem]

I would assume buckwheat, or any kind of wheat would do well.

 

[digitS']

I don't have clay soil - better say that right off.

Oh, there might be some clay in it but if you saw it your first thought would be "gravel" . So, water retention by increasing the organic matter in the soil is my first concern. When I have planted a cover crop at this time of year it has bee winter rye.

Planting it close to 1st frost didn't allow for much growth. The plants were very small by the time I wanted to turn the soil in the spring. I tried various planting dates. A last of July planting in my zone 5 garden had amazing results!

There was a good stand going into winter but by the end of April . . . the rye was waist high! There would have been no way to get a tiller or spading fork thru it. Not only was there all this top growth but the root mass was, well . . . massive. I pulled the plants by hand, dug out the soil with a shovel and buried the rye. When I dug down in those beds in July, a little of the rye plants could still be seen in the soil.

If tilling is your plan for soil prep in the spring, a late August planting of winter rye would probably be best . . . for a zone 5 winter.

If I don't do a succession planting of veggies, winter rye is my choice. I once tried Austrian field peas but their winter survival was probably only about 5% :/. If you don't have subzero winter weather, they may be a good choice for you as might a few other things like some of the mustard family cover crops.

Steve :tools

 

[bigredfeather]

I have a tractor w/ a two bottom plow that I use for my garden. Whatever cover crop I plant now, I will plow under as soon as it is fit next Spring.

 

[curly_kate]

I have done rye with winter peas, too, with the same results. The peas didn't do well here, either, and I'm in a zone further south. The only drawback to the rye was that it came back in a couple of spots after I'd planted my spring veggies. Other than that, it did well.

 

[bigredfeather]

I have done rye with winter peas, too, with the same results. The peas didn't do well here, either, and I'm in a zone further south. The only drawback to the rye was that it came back in a couple of spots after I'd planted my spring veggies. Other than that, it did well.

Did you notice any difference in soil condition due to planting the winter rye?

 

[digitS']

I know that question was not directed to me since I've already said something about the moisture-retention qualities of rye. I just wanted to comment a little further because I feel a little deprived with regards to cover crops. And, this may not be of help to you 'Thumb since you are in the same zone I'm in.

I really like what brassicas do for the soil. Sure, they are heavy feeders but if they weren't harvested but simply turned over - all those nutrients needed to grow them would just go right back into the soil. What I see around the roots of the cabbage, broccoli, mustard, etc. etc. that I grow looks real good to me. I'd like to see that same soil tilth in the spring when I could take advantage of it for other crops.

What I'm deprived of, as best as I know, is the opportunity to grow brassicas over the winter like I can winter rye. My understanding is that those commonly used as a cover crop are reliable to zone 7 and not in colder locations. Here's a link to something Territorial Seed has to say about Tyfon. It is a variety that I've intended to order now and then thru the years and never got around to.

Note that Territorial lists it as a "summer-sown cover" and I have a hard time justifying tying up garden space thru the summer. I wish I didn't feel I need every square foot of my garden, every week of the growing season. Simply gardening, and providing adequate fertilizer for the crops grown and making good use of plant wastes improves soil . . . over time. But, there are lots of things I could grow in a greater way to improve the condition of the garden soil. I mean, I ain't got much to work with in the way of dirt in the first place .

Here's something Oregon State has to say about cover crops. They don't bother to list any brassicas and some of their ideas about legumes don't seem quite right to me. I've sown alfalfa fields before - the 1st year's growth is minimal. I don't see how one could expect much of anything out of alfalfa sowing it in the fall and tilling it under in the spring.

I've grown vetch with oats as an annual hay crop, spring sown. I don't know how it would work planted in the fall. I doubt it would contribute much to the soil. Fava beans may be an idea - other gardeners talk about their usefulness as a cover crop. I've only planted them in the spring.

Steve

 

[obsessed]

I am very interested in the cover crop practice. Seeing how bad my soil may be. I know I have time cause I don't have hard winters but I will need to research the cover crop/green manure that will be best for my region and my garden. I will be sending out a soil sample in a couple of days. i guess I will wait to see the results.

Any one else got any cover crop experience?

 

[Beekissed]

Buckwheat, as mentioned above, winterkills with the frost and lays down a good mat of decaying carbonaceous material and the root systems do the same inside the soil. It would definitely improve the nutrient levels and improve the culture of your soil.

Winter wheat is also a good one for plowing under in the spring but does not winterkill with cold temps. It pretty much stays green all winter and it doesn't get too tall...maybe 4-6 in. in clay soils.

If you have any access to some good composted horse manure, you could plow it in this fall, plant your cover crop on top of it and the worms will do the rest all winter long.

 

[obsessed]

I am going to do a spring green manure from Johnnnys. I bought 1 pound and I thing that should work for my small beds.

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?item=976G&category=289&subcategory=291


I figure my soil needs a little love and because I can't keep up with the demand for compost (never never enuf) despite the bunnies and all I might as well go with green manure. I know it will cut down production but my fam actually hates my garden.

Does anyone know of a summer covercrop that will take the southern heat? I have down time from June to August where it is just to hot for most garden veggies (all but eggplant). I think I can work a cover crop into that one time and then keep the winter planting for my veggies.