Cover crop question

Dieselrider · May 14, 2017

I have about 1/4 acre in rye and hairy vetch cover crop. The goal here is to build soil and add organic matter to our heavy clay soil. My issue is that the rye is now in flower stage but the Hairy vetch hasn't started to flower at all. Probably will be following these with another cover crop later this summer to build soil.

Should I mow the rye now before the seeds become viable? Will that stunt the Hairy vetch? Will it all com,e back or just the vetch? Thanks

coonie minnie · May 14, 2017

Don't know about the vetch, but some of the rye (maybe 5%, maybe more) will come back.

Traditional Farmer · May 14, 2017

Since your goal is to build up the soil only,if it were me I'd be disking in the rye and give it a couple weeks disk again and plant Buckwheat.

Lucid · May 14, 2017

I'd do the buckwheat idea too. Done it last couple years on a small stretch. Easy to plant and disc in. Bees liked it.

Texasmark1 · Jun 26, 2017

Around here Rye takes care of itself. If it's not already established, plant it one year and leave it be on the last cutting so it can head out. It will be all over you in following years given adequate food and water....nature can supply both if in the mood. I have Alkaline heavy clay.

Cover crop question

Dieselrider

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coonie minnie

Well-known Member

Traditional Farmer

Well-known Member

Lucid

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Texasmark1

Well-known Member

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