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Hillsboro, il

Im looking to keep adding to my patch fro health and soil build up. I have been told that a cover crop of mustard or rye may be a good idea. Advantages? Disadvantages? I have already cleaned out my patch in preparation for next year.i would hate to make a large mess to clean up next planting season

10/8/2019 7:54:56 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

It is too late in the season for mustard. It will winter kill before you get much growth. Mustard is great for killing diseases, if you let it flower, chop it up with a mover, till it in lightly lack it and water it to seal in the gasses it gives off as it breaks down. It will add organic matter, but it will kill off mycorrhizal fungi. It is good to use earlier in the year if you lose a plant, or if you want to give the soil a rest. Sometimes when I rest a spot I plant mustard, followed by Daikon radish, a member of the mustard family. Sometimes I plant sweet corn, then follow it up with a late summer mustard crop.

For this time of year, use winter wheat or rye. It will over winter and green up quickly in the spring. It adds organic matter and suppresses small seeded weeds. You may have to mow it once or twice in the spring so it doesn't get too tall to till into the soil. It will provide roots that mycorrhizae like.

10/8/2019 10:36:37 PM

Lakewood, WA

Thank you, Iowegian, for your informative posts on this board.

I am considering a cover crop as well. Not sure what I will actually do, lol!

10/10/2019 1:37:22 PM