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Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

So question I have, is Are cover crops really important? Does it make a difference if I use winter wheat or winter rye?

I usuually add a lot of leaves, but does anyone add leaves and cover crop?

10/17/2008 8:58:56 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Here is a pretty good thread on the GVGO site.

http://gvgo.ca/mb/index.php?topic=805.0

10/17/2008 9:39:04 AM

Midwest

I planted winter rye and hairy vetch last Oct. 2007 Mowed it down/turned it over in April/May/June as the plant grew out. Less disease pressure and more organic matter - much better soil. Added maple leaves also. happy plant.

10/17/2008 4:45:21 PM

Denver, CO

So, if we are adding lots of manure in the fall, what is the addition of the cover crop for? If its to tie up some nitorgen, why not add less manure? If its to add organic matter why not leaves? Or do we plant a cover crop, only if we dont want to add any more nitrogen to the patch but do want some additional organic matter?

10/17/2008 7:18:03 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

A cover crop not only provides a source of green manure/OM, it will prevent erosion of you patch soil too, if you have heavy snow, as it thaws in the spring you will have minor erosion. We had some major rain last spring, I could see where I hadnt broadcast any rye, the soil was washing away, 2 inches away, the soil was undisturbed, held together by the roots.

10/17/2008 7:26:55 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

I wonder where i can find hairy fetch

10/18/2008 11:06:17 AM

montgomery,AL

Legumes - clover, beans etc.. with proper Rhizobia bacteria, takes nitrogen from the air and fixes it in the soil. Alot of cover crop seeds come pre-inoculated with the proper bactria( different for each kind of plant). If working properly roots will have a pink shade to them.

10/18/2008 11:14:19 AM

Littleton, Colo

Capt.....before you cover crop, soil test.

10/20/2008 12:07:37 AM