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Canada

In the Fall I planted a cover crop of winter rye , normally this time of year we still have snow on the ground but this past week has been HOT the covercrop has taken off like crazy its about 6 inches tall. When is the best time to Till under for a May 1st Plant out date? Do most of you mow down with lawnmower first then till or just turn it under with a few passes of rototiller Thanks Dave

3/21/2012 10:58:18 AM

President - GPC

I have heard, turn under two weeks prior to planting.....ThatZ when I am doing mine...I guess you could cut it if its too tall, would depend on your tractorZ or tilling method.

3/21/2012 11:11:56 AM

President - GPC

Pics of Leonardo cover crop...Man his was 6 foot high and his tractor just ate it up.....

3/21/2012 11:12:36 AM

Canada

WOW lol ok Thanks

3/21/2012 12:48:39 PM

Novar, Ontario

DaveM; Where did you source the winter rye seed, would like some for this fall. novardave

3/21/2012 6:00:09 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Cut, dry,and till if you want organic matter...Turn in if it is a green manure

3/21/2012 10:45:15 PM

Canada

Noradave. Ontario seed co out of waterloo they carry everything

3/22/2012 10:09:43 AM

Ontario

Dave,did your fall planting grow and then die back?,and whats is coming up now, regrowth? Terry

3/22/2012 1:19:31 PM

Lexington, Ky

If you're not ready to till, just mow it, it'll come back, especially if you get some rain....trust me, I'm battling mine right now. It ain't exactly easy to turn it in with a manual tiller, I'm on my 4th pass on one section of the patch. It just won't die! I bought mine from Joel Holland, very good stuff.

3/22/2012 1:44:45 PM

Ontario

Thats why I asked, your right about being hard to get rid of.When your trying to get your patch in shape for growing ,the last thing you need,is to be going constantly in the patch to try to get rid of more regrowth.I prefer oats or buckwheat,they completely winter kill,and buckwheat can be replanted a few times over the summer ,in preparing a new patch or second patch. Terry

3/22/2012 3:41:10 PM

Canada

Terry it was about 4 inch tall when the snow started flying come spring when the snow melted it was still off green kinda went drment then it took off like crazy its been hot all week and its now about 10 inch tall long grassy patch I plan on mowing it down then tilling it under I doubt it'll grow back once tilled but who knows lol. Still a month before plants hit the patch Dave

3/23/2012 1:02:14 PM

Ontario

Dave ,I would get at it as soon as you can.It's a great green manure, and even slows down the germination of weed seeds,but can be a stinker to get rid of.I would till it once, let it dryout ,then till it again,and don't be suprized if you have to do it again. Good luck Terry

3/23/2012 2:41:03 PM

Deer Park WA

Terry is correct Dave it will try to grow back once you till it in. We will have to hit ours again in a couple of weeks. That's what you get for having such great soil I guess!

3/23/2012 3:41:23 PM

canal winchester ohio

If I'm planning on setting plants out I'll mow mine down the 1st week of April & let set a week. Till the 2nd week of April & then spray with molasses. Till 5 days before setting plants out & hit with molasses again. I know a lot of people use manure but I have been strictly winter rye for 5 years now & my OM stays about 15%. I forgot I plant winter rye & vetch together.

3/23/2012 3:56:33 PM

Canada

Will do thanks for advice

3/24/2012 3:45:44 PM

Fairport,NY

what rate do you apply your Molasses Huff? How much per gallon of water?

3/24/2012 4:09:21 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

If mine is over 4" tall, we will use our lawn mower or edge trimmer to cut it down in size first. Two complete turns with the tiller and the hoophouse can go up.

2nd weekend in April is tilling time for me...plants go in first weekend in May.

3/25/2012 12:36:52 PM

Canada

Ya the patch is stll too wet to Till as we just got a few days of rain snow mix, I've been spraying weekly with a few products I hope I can get a first till done later next week if it drys up then once again before I build my hoops first week of may I'm planning to start seeds may 1 and plant out date by 10th Dave

4/1/2012 9:21:27 PM