Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[Dieter Brand <diebrand@yahoo.com>]

Paul,

 

During the last two years I probably used well over 300 kg of seeds to test 50 odd types of cover crops, small grains etc. for direct broadcasting into an existing vegetation like weeds, grass, shrubs, etc., or onto the bare ground. The conclusion is that almost all seeds will germinate without soil cover, PROVIDED THAT, the birds, ants, rodents won’t get the seeds and that the seeds don’t dry out. Check the weather forecast for 3 subsequent days of rainy weather. Birds will only pick a few seeds, while ants will find every single seed. Mulch will protect the seeds from birds but not from ants. I can strongly recommend one method I discovered: if you have an existing stand of shrubs or tall weeds and/or grass, broadcast the seeds over the existing vegetation then cut it so that it will cover the seeds as a layer of mulch. Given a little humidity, this is a very effective method that will almost always work.

 

Regarding the different types of seed, it depends very much on your local climatic and soil conditions (pH etc.). In my case, I found that clover is very difficult, small grains (rye, barley, wheat, etc.) will usually germinate after two or three days if there is a little humidity. The easiest of all are lupines. I tried, yellow, blue and white lupines (the latter are edible). You just throw the seeds anywhere and forget all about it, they will almost always germinate. Vetch and radish are also good candidates for direct broadcasting. Mustard is OK on bare ground but not in an existing stand of vegetation. So far, I haven’t had any success with direct broadcasting of alfalfa, perhaps it needs soil coverage, I have to check this. If you cover beans, field peas etc. with a little mulch they will usually germinate. Fava beans are a delicacy in the diet of many a small animal, hence you need to poke a little hole in the ground, insert the bean, than use your foot to close the hole. People talk a lot about soil-contact, in my experience soil-contact of the seeds is not necessary if there is enough humidity. During rainy weather with around 90% of relative humidity, I have seen tiny clover seed germinate two inches above the ground on top of a mulch layer.

 

Needless to say, timing is very important. You need to consider temperature, humidity and plant live-cycle. In the South of Portugal, I usually start with fava beans after the first rains in early October, they can be cut in January/February for green manure or in March/April for the seeds. The November 15 to December 31 period is a good time for direct broadcasting of small grains and most cool-season annual cover crops. During this period, ants are no longer active and temperatures are still high enough for germination. Later sowing wouldn’t allow the plants to mature before the dry season in June. Peas of all types can be sown in early February. Pole, bush and dried beans can be sown starting in March/April.

 

Cost of the seeds is also a factor to be considered since there is invariably going to be a degree of loss with direct broadcasting. Clover, ideal as cover crop, is unfortunately very expensive.

 

Can’t help you with your rabbits. I’m still stockless even though not fanatically vegan.

 

Regards,

Dieter Brand, Portugal

 

PS: When you broadcast into an existing stand of weeds/grass, germination doesn’t mean that your cover crop will grow. Small grains usually can’t compete for nutrients with grass. Here again, lupines and fava beans are easiest.

TradingPostPaul <tradingpost@riseup.net> wrote:
> I'm having trouble searching for something. Anyone tell me what
>  kind of
> grains or legumes will sprout by broadcasting on bare ground or stubble
> without any soil cover? I need a large area with greenery for rabbit
> diversion and compost material. 
>
>
> paul tradingpost@lobo.net
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Livingontheland mailing list
> Livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/livingontheland

---

Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.