Market Farming

["Wiediger, Alison" <awiediger AT Hart.k12.ky.us>]

We use hairy vetch as a winter annual in conjunction with our cereal rye
cover crop.  That is the only way we have used it.  However, at Kentucky
State U's research farm several years ago, they mowed a cover crop of hairy
vetch and transplanted tomatoes directly into it.  The farm manager said the
fields looked a little messy as the vetch did regrow a little, but the
production was terrific.  I have toyed with the idea of planting potatoes
directly into a mown vetch mulch - supposed to confuse the Colorado Potato
Beetle, but that's another experiment we haven't had time to try.  We like
it - just don't let it go to seed.  If you do, you'll always have it.  You
might look at Steve Groff's website for some terrific ideas on growing
veggies with cover crops/mulch :

http://www.cedarmeadowfarm.com/
Cedar Meadow Farm

Alison Wiediger
Au Naturel Farm
Smiths Grove, KY



> ----------
> From:         Lee Lawton[SMTP:llami AT teleport.com]
> 
> Yesterday, I asked about hairy vetch with tomatoes and suddenly we were
> talking about bungie cords!
> 
> Has anyone grown hairy vetch? If so, how big is it? What green manures, if
> any, do you grow with tomatoes and peppers? Does anyone know of a web site
> that talks about growing green manures concurrent with crops?
> 
> Tenacious, aren't I? ;-)
> 
> Lee Lawton
> Over the Rainbow Farm
> 
> >
>