From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Granite Bay Ca

Is there anyone in california that can tell me when to cut and rototell in my rye grass?I planted it in nov .It is 1 foot high and I was told to cut it befor it goes to seed .Do I wait until I see seeds?? Or would that be to late ? This is my frist time trying to grow big pumpkins I can use some help .
Richard Dick 72

2/28/2009 2:08:09 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Cut and till atleast two weeks prior to planting. To add organic matter allow the cut rye to dry before tilling in. Other wise if you till it in green it is a green manure and can actually tie up some nitrogen.

2/28/2009 2:32:22 PM

http://eap.mcgill.ca/MagRack/COG/COGHandbook/COGHandbook_1_5.htm

when turned in the green manure may tie up N for a period of 2-3 weeks,,,cut the 12" down now and it should keep growing, early next month till it in if planning to plant the end of April

You'll get far more benefits from a growing crop than brown dried up residue laying on top

2/28/2009 3:44:10 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Great link Dan, thanks.

So then tilling in 3 weeks prior to planting is OK without cutting down first?

2/28/2009 3:54:14 PM

imo, yes,,problem is "can" you till it in without cutting.

Winter rye is tough at 12", walk behind tillers are pretty much out. In my area when it's that tall it's ready to start flagging, you then loose some of the nutrient value of the green stage and will definately have more trouble getting it incorporated.

3/1/2009 6:57:33 AM

southwest MO

Keep in mind Rye grass is very different from Winter rye. "Rye" has about 10 different names, and as many different cultivars. It is a matter of finding one you like. I prefer the Annual rye grass (the cheap stuff you get at wal-mart)for a couple reasons. It produces a real fine blade witch in turn breaks down in the soil quickly especially if you time the incorporation after a quick growth spurt after a warm up... It produces very deep roots in a short amount of time.... And it does well in my milder winter climate.

3/1/2009 11:10:41 AM

Granite Bay Ca

Hi Boy Genius
The grass is winter Rye so can you tell me when it should be cut ? It will be rototelled in with a tractor. Please e mail me .thanks

[email protected]
Richard dick 72

3/1/2009 1:29:20 PM

Colorado

dick Id keep it pruned down to 3 or four inches.A weed wacker is great for cutting it.Till it in about 20 days before planting your pumpkins.California can really produce a great cover crop from what I hear.

3/1/2009 11:40:33 PM

Granite Bay Ca

Hi Cojoe
Thanks for the reply I Will do just that. The winter rye is doing great.All you guys out in the pumpkin world are great . Thanks again .
Richard dick 72

3/2/2009 1:41:43 PM