Almost covercrop time.

[Cole_Robbie]

I convinced my mom and stepdad to plant groundhog radish over the winter in their garden. They have noticed improved soil and more earthworms this year. They got it out late, and it lived until mid-winter, when it got buried under snow and ice. Until then it stayed green, even when everything else was brown. It can take freezing temps, but the ice finally killed it in about late January.

[zeroma]

OK so what are groundhog radishes

[Cole_Robbie]

We got the seed from Morgan County. I did not realize Groundhog Radish is actually a brand name. It is a kind of daikon radish.

Here is a good article about radishes as cover crops:
http://www.extension.org/pages/64400...s#.Ve904X3lTQQ

[zeroma]

Thanks. I bought some seeds of daikon tillage radish end of last year we didn't us yet. That link was great and lead me to keep digging for more information.

[cjp1953]

Well after two days of rain I was able to pull up my plants mow down my straw mulch add some cotton seed meal and turn everything over with my garden fork then hand sow my hairy vetch seed.Been a good year for my tomatos.Only problem was the lack of rain the last 7 weeks.Hoping for a mild winter but who knows after this hot and dry summer in North East Ohio.

[clkeiper]

Originally Posted by cjp1953

Well after two days of rain I was able to pull up my plants mow down my straw mulch add some cotton seed meal and turn everything over with my garden fork then hand sow my hairy vetch seed.Been a good year for my tomatos.Only problem was the lack of rain the last 7 weeks.Hoping for a mild winter but who knows after this hot and dry summer in North East Ohio.

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!! The only thing I wanted was it to be warmer while it rained n Saturday. I was doing a farmers market and it was COLD COLD COLD! I was very thankful for the rain, though!

[zeroma]

I don't know if anyone knows about www.sare.org to get information about the different kinds of cover crop plants or not so I thought I would share it. It gave me great information.

Enjoy reading in the Learning Center in fact here is one of the direct links:

http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/...ms/Cover-Crops

zeroma

[cjp1953]

Originally Posted by clkeiper

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!! The only thing I wanted was it to be warmer while it rained n Saturday. I was doing a farmers market and it was COLD COLD COLD! I was very thankful for the rain, though!

Ya,90 last week and 60's Friday and Saturday.It's going to be in the 80 this week.

[cjp1953]

Originally Posted by silverseed

I have been using the combination of winter rye & hairy vetch, Has worked well for me over the years but always looking for anything better that will loosen up the soil a little more.

Have you planted a cover crop this year?My Vetch is starting to come up.I just scattered the seed this year and did not cover it.I sometime just tap it in lightly but this year after turning my garden with a fork,I just tossed on the ground.I was very tired after taking out my plants and using my fork.I have had rye come up in 48 hours.Vetch has always been last to come up.