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Powhatan,virginia

does anyone plant no till in winter wheat or rye

3/16/2010 1:20:26 PM

Buffalo, new York, USA

Going to try this year

3/16/2010 4:09:36 PM

Powhatan,virginia

how do you knock down your cover crop do you cut it or spray it with roundup?

3/16/2010 6:52:05 PM

Buffalo, new York, USA

I have recently covered the whole patch with a tarp to warm the soil and hopefully kill the winter rye that is about 4" tall. It is my hope that the rye dies and the micro it was seeded with, hangs on??? We'll see.

3/16/2010 7:09:36 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

I am doing it for 4 plants and 2 plants minimum tilling, but I used Round-up last fall on the cover crop (a rotated patch) and it looks great right now. The snow melted and there is a thin layer of dead grass mulching the top of the soil. Theoretically it has advantages, but also concerns (how do you add soil amendments if you need them?). If you do it (or anyone for that matter) I'd be interested in how it works out. Good Luck, JB
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3/16/2010 11:12:35 PM

Fresno, CA

I am wondering what to do with annual rye grass cover I planted that is about 18" tall. I'd prefer not to apply any roundup or other chemical herbicides. Any recommendations?

3/22/2010 10:45:15 PM

Rhode Island

it amases me that this same topic was discussed just days ago and here it is again?

i knew a guy once that planted his patch over a no till rye covered garden . his main concern was keeping weeds down. he had the most weed free garden i ever saw. unfortunateky not much else though.the season was a disaster. nuff said

if you must cover your patch be sure to use a weed block type material that still allows air to penetrateinto the soil. if not you will kill everything.

most of the top growers that plant a winter cover crop take the road most traveled with regard to good gardening skills.

while they may use round up just before their greenhouses come off,they dont use roundup to kill the cover crop they spent good money on developing.
if the crop is two high? they mow it a couple times first before mixing into the soil.

some sub-soil plow and harrow, some harrow and roto-till, some sub soil and roto-till,some just till. if they dont own a roto tiller? they rent one.if they need a sub soiler or tractor? they find one. the soil is the key.

if you start off on the wrong foot thats the way you will end up and, next winter you will be asking these same questions again.

3/23/2010 7:51:36 AM

Finksburg, Md

Pap, your the MAN!

3/23/2010 7:22:03 PM

Fresno, CA

Sorry Pap - I should have checked the recent topic. I appreciate the information.

3/24/2010 5:14:17 PM