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  • From: Robyn Williamson <rz.williamson@optusnet.com.au>
  • To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [permaculture] Re: Cover Crops
  • Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2005 13:37:12 +1000

On Wednesday, June 22, 2005, at 02:00 am, Zack wrote:

I'm resistant to the idea of roto-tilling my entire
back yard prior to seeding,and I'm curious if anyone
has any advice as to how to ecologically administer seed.

I was thinking I might direct broadcast the seed and then
mow the lawn very short on top of it, and hope for rain -
or perhaps water it really well. Any other tried and true methods?

Hi Zack,

If you broadcast then mow the lawn short you will blow the seed all over the place. You may wish to try this method we use in the community eco garden for direct seeding, we call it "weed and seed", works well for us but we have an A-grade agricultural soil that has been lovingly tended for just on 5 years. We don't water but I would recommend in the first instance that you do because I've found that soil under turf is often depleted. When I am weeding I just walk around the garden with a pocketful of seeds, find a weed, pull it up, flick some seeds into the hole and shake soil from the roots of the weed back over the top of the seeds. A handful of dry, well-chopped lucerne mixed with some compost tossed over that is also useful and provides evidence of where you've been, you could then follow that with a soft sprinkle of water, ie. watering can, don't water the whole lawn. You might have to let the lawn grow for a bit, then target your worst weeds first and do it systematically over a few weeks, you may even have to do some initial digging depending on the condition of your soil. By the end of 2 weeks there should be evidence of your first sowings coming up. Map out and mulch narrow meandering paths to avoid treading on new plants and you should be able to reach into every garden bed area from a pathway. Also target weeds coming into flower or remove flower heads while they're still immature.

If you want to eat from your new garden and are in an urban area, think about using sunflowers and radishes as well, they take up heavy metals such as lead and you should destroy your first crop at maturity. Any other root vegetables will also help break up the soil and avoid future digging after harvest, especially daikon radish. After your first harvest do the same again with different plants which gives you a rotational effect, eg. after brassicas [radish, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower etc] sow legumes [peas during fall, beans during spring], after root crops sow legumes, after legumes sow leafy greens, corn etc. Some members of the onion family, especially garlic chives will help repel both weeds and pests.

Best of luck,
Robyn

CONTACT DETAILS:

Robyn Williamson
PDC, Urban Horticulturist
Hon Sec, Fagan Park Community Eco Garden Committee
Local Seed Network Coordinator
NORTH WESTERN SYDNEY COMMUNITY SEED SAVERS
mobile: 0409 151 435
ph/fx: (612) 9629 3560
email: rz.williamson@optusnet.com.au
http://www.seedsavers.net
http://www.communityfoods.com.au
http://www.communitygarden.org.au





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