Market Farming

[Nancy Haycock <nhaycock AT acnet.pratt.edu>]

When I started this year, someone advised me NOT to till up all
the sod in my field for beds, but instead to leave the sod between the
beds intact, and then mow that with a lawnmower. They said that this would
help prevent erosion, and be easier to manage then tilling up the whole
area.  I did that, but have discovered quite a number of wireworms
in my beds.
Now I am wondering if I shouldn't backtrack, and till up the grass
between my beds. (maybe planting clover or some other cover to attract
beneficials)
My first question is, do you think this would help get rid of the wireworms
(in other words, are the wireworms likely to travel from the sod into my
beds?).  I would prefer to tackle the problem now, rather than in
a couple of years. On the other hand, am I just creating work for myself??
Second, IF I am going to till up the sod in September, would putting
black plastic down now kill the sod by then? My sod is incredibly difficult
to work with because the hay field has not been tilled or disked in at
least 30 years (just hayed), and there is this orange woody root (like
wire) that runs through it. I think maybe this orange woody root might
be vetch, but I'm not sure.
Thanks for any thoughts.
Nancy