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Western NY

On the effect of a cover crop:

https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/PBIOMES-04-21-0029-R

12/27/2022 3:37:13 PM

Bethlehem CT

Good stuff. I am currently reading Gabe Brown's book 'From Dirt to Soil'. It is an account of his personal experience with cover crops and the wonders they have done on his farm. He swears by cover crop diversity. His goal is to have as many different species in a cover crop as possible. His results have been impressive and really demonstrate a possible way to reduce our dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

12/27/2022 4:22:41 PM

Western NY

Yep, everything I have read shows that the more things you throw into your cover crop mix, the better your results will be.

12/29/2022 1:03:19 PM

Bethlehem CT

I am impressed with the fact that many growers have a really solid track record managing diseases and insects in their patch year after year. Those growers are obviously doing things right.... culturally.
I have a hard time bringing myself to spend the money on cover crop seed. Perhaps it would be one of the most important investments I could make.

12/29/2022 5:31:09 PM

Upper Strasburg, PA

I used this mix and it saw a big improvement last season, which was the second season growing here

http://www.hollandsgiants.com/covercrop.html

12/29/2022 9:08:00 PM

Australia eastcoastcitrus@hotmail.com

i have been hit with disease this year pulled one and most of the other plant out and have sowed lab lab and millet for the rest of summer then will mow down in autumn and sow rye grass and maybe another legume havent done a cover crop the last two seasons

12/30/2022 3:27:35 AM

East Sussex, UK

Gabe Brown's book is excellent. I'd recommend it to anyone growing anything.
Cover crops don't have to be expensive. My patch is currently covered in kale and daikon radishes grown from saved seed (free). I also scatted a bit of a proprietary winter cover crop mix but the bulk is from saved seed or self sown plants.

1/9/2023 6:36:52 AM

Partlow,Va

I like wheat behind my melons. I get 50lb for25dollars. I just have to work fast to get it in so it will germ before the cooler weather.I get home from the weighoff and put a shovel in my hand.

1/9/2023 9:29:15 AM

Bethlehem CT

Good point Sam, I could get creative and make my own diverse mixes with seed saved from my own gardens.

1/12/2023 9:09:23 AM