Return to the Frugal Gardening Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Cover Crop
| | |
Posted by kaybradj Portland, OR (My Page) on Wed, Sep 22, 04 at 17:01
| I was rummaging through the pantry last night and was struck by the variety of beans and grains that we have in plastic bags with those little twist tags that you write a number on when buying in the bulk section of the supermarket. It looks like I have oats, millet(?), rye(?), black eye peas, green peas, lima beans(?), and garbonzo beans. Anyway, I was thinking that these would make great cover crop. Any thoughts? I usually buy a bag of "Soil Builder" from the local garden center at a ridiculously inflated price. |
Follow-Up Postings:
Beans are pretty, and do add nitrogen, and do
| | |
break up hard nasty soil.
However, they may be too old to germinate. You also, if you plant a cover crop, must remmber to cut it down before it reseeds or you will be stuck with volunteers forever.
My favorite plant for this is Hyacinth Bean-very beautiful and not invasive. |
RE: Cover Crop
| | |
| The millet, oat, and rye will grow quickly and doesn't need too much watering. As drasaid mentioned, though, you have to mow it down and till it in BEFORE it goes to seed. |
|
|
|
|
