From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Garner, NC

I have just about removed everything from this years patch, except some old pinestraw. Man what a pain getting 4500sqft back to bare ground. I hope to plant a cover crop within the week, however I will not grow melons in this spot I need suggestions on the best cover crop. I had planned on rye, but there has to be a better choice. Thanks

9/29/2011 9:14:17 PM

Ut

So you're moving your patch for next year? I was wondering if some of you guys get away with planting in the same ground year after year. I sure don't. I guess that means some more serious soil prep for the new spot!

9/29/2011 11:35:15 PM

Southeast Texas

todd i always grow mustad and turnips...but dont take my advice...lol...you could grow switch cane and still a biggun next...dammitt.

9/29/2011 11:45:52 PM

Muddy Waters

Easy Boys!Were still weighing here.Dont get me started on next Year.

9/30/2011 4:16:00 AM

Corryton, TN

Use the rye. Since you're not planning on using the same spot you can let it go until it gets to the early head stage (no mature seeds) before bushoging down and working in. It will be about chest high. Very few weeds can compete with that growth. You'll get a lot of different opinions on what to follow up with but I like a couple of plantings of buckwheat. It comes up easy and grows fast. You can till it in at early bloom, killing a bunch of crabgrass, pigweed, etc. using up some of the seed bank in the ground. Repeat as often as you can until next fall.

Used the same spot for last 3 years but will move at least part of patch for next year.

9/30/2011 6:41:10 AM

formerly RGG

I agree with Dave, winter rye is probably your best bet for a cover crop. Chris doesn't have the space to rotate crops and still has consistently great results year after year.

9/30/2011 8:25:31 AM

Ut

So Todd what's the theory here- will the cover crops help for melons again in that spot down the road or are you getting that soil ready for a different crop? Also, have you been working the new ground for next year's melons, or can you do that all between now and next spring? Thanks, Kyle

BTW nice job this year, geezoweeze!!!

9/30/2011 4:40:36 PM

Cleveland, Tenn

Todd, rye an hairy vetch planted together works great. The vetch has nitrogen fixing nodules on the roots and the rye has a large deep root system. I do this every year and each time the soil is better.

9/30/2011 4:50:05 PM

formerly RGG

The theory of a cover crop is to add rich organic matter to the soil.

9/30/2011 5:21:59 PM

Garner, NC

Kyle, what dennis said, plus I need it for erosion, its on a slight downward grade and I don't want it to wash out. I have sprayed roundup on the new spot and will begin soil test and amendments soon. Took a lot of work last year to get it right, I I believe it is very impotant. This years patch was half new and half last year, the new plot grew the 251 and 282, so I believe in rotation. The rye and vetch sounds great, I will probably go with this mixture. Thanks

9/30/2011 5:36:38 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Todd, give me a call, I have a lot of errosion in my patch and use winter rye, it holds everything together really well, plus:
Rye's deep roots help prevent compaction in annually tilled fields, and because its roots are quite extensive, rye also that helps prevent soil from becoming compacted in annually tilled fields.

Rye's deep root system enables it to pull necessary nutrients from the soil..

Tom

10/1/2011 12:02:42 AM