rec.gardens.ecosystems homepage -> archive: MOD$001103.22330@rec.gardens.ecosystems



Subject: Re: Cover crop
From: "Dr. Rev. Chuck, M.D., P.A." <cdub@_REMOVETHIS_erols.com>
Organization:
Date: Fri, 03 Nov 00 08:26:01
Message-ID: <MOD$001103.22330@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$001025.18199@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



Ryan Lenz wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> This past season was my gardens first, and it did fairly well. I've stayed
> organic, and wish to continue to do so. Up here in the Pacific Northwest,
> its starting to get mighty cold, and all my crops have died back for the
> year. So now, I'm left with a bare (or almost bare) plot of land, and I'm
> concerned about soil erosion, especially with all the rain we get up here.
> I've read a tiny bit about putting on "green manure" or a cover crop, and my
> understanding is this: spread the cover crop seeds after your harvesting is
> complete for the season, and the cover crop keeps the soil from eroding.
> Sounds good. Though i've never read this, i'm guessing that the cover crop
> will also capture energy from the sun and add it to my little plot o' Earth.

Preventing erosion isn't crucial on a small garden plot.

> So anyway, what is a good cover crop? I'd like to not have to till it down
> next spring. And finally, are there any other provisions I should make for
> winter?
Provisions are to select a crop that can tolerate conditions. A light
fertilizer application can be helpful to get things going. Benefits?
Deep rooted cover crops like alfalfa can scavenge and hold otherwise lost
nutrients. Dense covers such as annual rye will blanket the soil and
ease temperature fluctations, keeping your earthworms and soil-enriching
bacteria happier. Turning in the crop come spring adds as much organic
matter as compost, but with far less work -- 1 lb of annual rye seed
will yield as much roughage as several hundred pounds of compost.