Opinions sought on my plans for the paths between my rows of tomatoes. my

[Indyartist]

Originally Posted by newtraditionsfarm

I'm having a similar dilemma. I have a bunch of really long raised beds, around 250' with dirt paths in-between them. More than anything, I hate weeding paths!

This year, I've decided that I am going make 3.5' beds with large 3' paths and plant them with rye. I figure this will be attractive, quick growing, make a durable walking path and can be managed by mowing with a small gas push mower. My plan is to mow the rye as if it was a lawn and use the clippings as mulch in the beds or for my compost pile.

Sounds like a brilliant idea!

[dice]

This year, I've decided that I am going make 3.5' beds with large 3' paths and plant them with rye.

That is my plan, too, except that I am using a cold-tolerant
clover and dormant alfalfa in the paths (I want it to be
perennial, fix nitrogen, and provide triacontonal when mowed).

I planted it late last summer, it was still pretty small and mixed
in with bell beans and hairy vetch when winter came, and over
the winter I could only see it in a few places. So I may replant
the paths when we get past last frost and the plants in the
rows have been planted (give the paths a whole summer to get
established).

I have clayey loam soil that holds a lot of water, so water
use by groundcovers in the paths is not an issue.

If I were tilling the whole garden in fall or spring, this would
be a waste (the paths would get tilled under), and I might
as well grow some fast annual there like buckwheat or
nitro alfalfa (pricy seed) or mustard or whatever. With no-till,
the paths can make a contribution, perhaps without needing
to be re-seeded annually. (Usually I just pile grass clippings
there all summer. Seems like that space could be put to
better use.)

For most of my garden which is all raised beds, I plant winter rye when it gets cool enough in the fall and just keep it mowed. It dies in the spring when the weather warms and the normal summer grass takes over. I have some areas which are difficult to mow so I purchased some green indoor/outdoor carpet scraps and simply carpeted those areas. I've thought about carpeting the whole thing because the large scrapes are so inexpensive at the big box stores, but I like to see stuff growing even in the garden paths. It is zero maintenance unless you want to sweep it or power blow it off occasionally.

Ted

[Plantersville]

one year I had extra roof shingles and decided to use them in my paths between rows........they work fine. Only trouble is having to pick them
up when I plow the following year..........just a suggestion..