This years winter cover crop

cjp1953 · October 2, 2018

Last year I did a tillage radish winter cover crop.It did well as I had holes leftover from the radishes after they rotted in the ground.The taproot went deep into the soil and the drainage seemed very good.Only downfall I could see was the foliage decomposed very fast and left me with bare ground through April into May.That allowed the soil to crack and get hard from the sun.I put in 12- 40 pound bags of cow compost to my 200 sq. ft no till garden.This past weekend I pulled up all my plants and tossed them in the trash.I mowed down the grass mulch I used this summer.I then used my garden fork to loosen the soil without turning it over.I then scattered my tillage radish seeds and added hairy vetch so I'll have coverage until I can plant my tomato and pepper plants.To kill my vetch in the past I just mowed it down and then planted into it.I'm hoping I get good growth from my radishes and the weather holds out for the next 5 or 6 weeks.I'm 2 weeks late planting this year.I retired in June but we decided to paint our living room,2 weeks ago,have new carpet put in which was today and have new furniture coming late this week or early next week.I also just bought a new car yesterday that I pick up tomorrow.It's been crazy,we also babysit our 10 month old grandson 3 days a week and he's starting to crawl and get into everything.But really loving being retired.

Oh ya,our daughter who is mom to our 10 month old is having another child next April.That will make 4 grandchildren.Nothing better than being a grandpa!!!!We are really Blessed.

peebee · October 3, 2018

You sure sound blessed and busy! Congrats on your retirement. I can't wait for mine.
Was last year the first time you cover-cropped? I sowed mine last week in anticipation of rain. Have yet to see a drop but there's always tomorrow.

cjp1953 · October 3, 2018

No I have been doing this for a while,I have used winter rye before I found hairy vetch and tillage radishes from another feed store located in a town not far from me.We had some rain yesterday and the forecast is calling for moisture this week and next should see germination in a few days to a week.Thank you for the kind words.I retired at 65 not wanting to wait another year(both knee replaced) and love it.I'm starting to get into a daily routine although that has been disrupted due to things being done around the house but it should go back to normal soon,Hope you get to join me soon you'll find nothing is better,the grandchildren will keep you young and busy.

cjp1953 · October 3, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by peebee

You sure sound blessed and busy! Congrats on your retirement. I can't wait for mine.
Was last year the first time you cover-cropped? I sowed mine last week in anticipation of rain. Have yet to see a drop but there's always tomorrow.

What type of crop do you plant?

Raymondo · October 19, 2018

Yes, grandkids are indeed a joy.
I’ve used cereal rye and peas as a winter cover crop. I cut it down as the rye heads in early spring. Works well for me. I tried a wheat/rye/lupin mix last winter but the lupins didn’t survive for very long. If I use them again I will sow much earlier so they establish before the really cold weather sets in. I haven’t tried radish in the mix yet. I will give it a go next winter.

cjp1953 · October 19, 2018

Radishes will winter kill and they need 60 days to get large I don't think mine will grow as big as I want, I planted 2 weeks late and it's been in the 30's this week but I think they will be alright until the temps get in the 20's.So far they look good and are growing.Grandchildren keep me young but I nap more during the day after they leave .lol

Raymondo · October 20, 2018

Our winters are mostly in the low to mid 20s overnight with warmish days so the ground never freezes here. I’m keen to make the cover crops as diverse as the local climate will allow. Most plants that don’t die over winter here don’t grow much either so have to be planted well before the cold sets in to get to any reasonable size.
With you on the napping. I don’t normally nap during the day but when I visit my son and his family (4 kids) I sneak off after lunch for a bit of a snooze. I love the kids dearly but boy do they wear me out!

cjp1953 · October 20, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raymondo

Our winters are mostly in the low to mid 20s overnight with warmish days so the ground never freezes here. I’m keen to make the cover crops as diverse as the local climate will allow. Most plants that don’t die over winter here don’t grow much either so have to be planted well before the cold sets in to get to any reasonable size.
With you on the napping. I don’t normally nap during the day but when I visit my son and his family (4 kids) I sneak off after lunch for a bit of a snooze. I love the kids dearly but boy do they wear me out!

I have 2 grandsons 6 years old and 11 months,I think the youngest wears me out more lol but I can't turn down any time he wants to be held.They grow so fast.The oldest will not sit next to me much anymore unless I'm holding the baby and then he and his 5 year old sister all want to sit on Grandpas lap.You have to love those times now when their young.

Your weather sounds like what they get south of us and you should have good options when it comes to cover cropping.

October 2, 2018	#1
cjp1953 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cuyahoga Falls,Ohio Posts: 818	This years winter cover crop Last year I did a tillage radish winter cover crop.It did well as I had holes leftover from the radishes after they rotted in the ground.The taproot went deep into the soil and the drainage seemed very good.Only downfall I could see was the foliage decomposed very fast and left me with bare ground through April into May.That allowed the soil to crack and get hard from the sun.I put in 12- 40 pound bags of cow compost to my 200 sq. ft no till garden.This past weekend I pulled up all my plants and tossed them in the trash.I mowed down the grass mulch I used this summer.I then used my garden fork to loosen the soil without turning it over.I then scattered my tillage radish seeds and added hairy vetch so I'll have coverage until I can plant my tomato and pepper plants.To kill my vetch in the past I just mowed it down and then planted into it.I'm hoping I get good growth from my radishes and the weather holds out for the next 5 or 6 weeks.I'm 2 weeks late planting this year.I retired in June but we decided to paint our living room,2 weeks ago,have new carpet put in which was today and have new furniture coming late this week or early next week.I also just bought a new car yesterday that I pick up tomorrow.It's been crazy,we also babysit our 10 month old grandson 3 days a week and he's starting to crawl and get into everything.But really loving being retired.Oh ya,our daughter who is mom to our 10 month old is having another child next April.That will make 4 grandchildren.Nothing better than being a grandpa!!!!We are really Blessed. Last edited by cjp1953; October 2, 2018 at 06:17 PM.

October 19, 2018	#5
Raymondo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saumarez Ponds, NSW, Australia Posts: 946	Yes, grandkids are indeed a joy. I’ve used cereal rye and peas as a winter cover crop. I cut it down as the rye heads in early spring. Works well for me. I tried a wheat/rye/lupin mix last winter but the lupins didn’t survive for very long. If I use them again I will sow much earlier so they establish before the really cold weather sets in. I haven’t tried radish in the mix yet. I will give it a go next winter. __________________ Ray

October 20, 2018	#7
Raymondo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Saumarez Ponds, NSW, Australia Posts: 946	Our winters are mostly in the low to mid 20s overnight with warmish days so the ground never freezes here. I’m keen to make the cover crops as diverse as the local climate will allow. Most plants that don’t die over winter here don’t grow much either so have to be planted well before the cold sets in to get to any reasonable size. With you on the napping. I don’t normally nap during the day but when I visit my son and his family (4 kids) I sneak off after lunch for a bit of a snooze. I love the kids dearly but boy do they wear me out! __________________ Ray

October 3, 2018	#2
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	You sure sound blessed and busy! Congrats on your retirement. I can't wait for mine. Was last year the first time you cover-cropped? I sowed mine last week in anticipation of rain. Have yet to see a drop but there's always tomorrow.