From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Decatur, IL

In the past, I've planted buckwheat around my plant sites and then after it starts to flower, I knock it down and till it in. Would it work better if I just knock it down and let it lay as a mulch?

5/15/2008 11:02:47 PM

Darfield, British Columbia, Canada

It might end up blowing around in a good wind storm and I find that when it is mixed into the ground it breaks down very quickly. Only knocking it down would also give all those darn bugs that like to eat pumpkin plant and others a new place to hide.

5/16/2008 3:02:29 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

If you want to add organic matter all cover crops should be allowed to dry after cut. Otherwise it is a green manure...

5/16/2008 5:38:02 PM

Decatur, IL

I always let it lay for awhile before I till it in. I'll probably just till it in like I've done in the past. Thanks.

5/16/2008 9:29:27 PM

Tilling it in green afords faster and better recycling of the nutrients that the cover crop has trapped. I also find it much easier to actually till it under when standing and green,, one less step with a good tiller.

5/16/2008 9:48:11 PM