market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Market Farming
List archive
- From: "Wyatt Jones" <wyatt_jones AT netzero.com>
- To: <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Transition to Organic
- Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:32:16 -0400
Depends how bad the weed are.
If you have a lot of thick stemmed woody weeds it will be more difficult.
A bush hog works pretty well but I've found it doesn't always get the job done
on the big stuff, it chops them down but it doesn't chop them up enough.
You might consider using a moldboard plow to turn the trash under as that will
help. Its a hassle disking it down but it will help compost the weeds
better. I wouldn't use one long term but its probably warranted in your
case and I had to do that myself though I use a chisel plow now. You can
get old moldboard plows pretty cheap at auctions as they aren't used
much anymore. Its better to mow down the weeds this fall if you can, let
them dry out and deteriorate and then disk them . Even in the winter is
good as the weeds will be frozen and brittle. The best and
fastest way is to use a flail mower instead of a bush hog if you can
get it but they are expensive. You can get trash rakes, I've heard they
are inexpensive and have thought about looking into them. You could rake
it to the side and compost it to spread later if you have too much to
incorporate with the methods you have at your disposal, More work
though. Big seeded stuff like corn can be planted with some trash,
especially if you can get a no till planter somewhere. Cover crops are a
good idea but clover can be difficult to grow at times, I planted some last year
and it didn't come up. Rye might be harder to get worked in than the weeds
and you need to plow it under alt least a month in advance since it will inhibit
growth of plants when its incorporated. I use soybeans as a cover crop and
it works pretty well. Some weeds will still grow but it cuts down the
numbers considerably, of course it takes warmer weather. Field peas are
also an option and will add nitrogen if you need it. I'm planning to plant
it early in the spring to keep weeds down till I plant the area with sweet
corn. You can plant if for fall if you want. I might not plant the
peas this coming year as I already have too much nitrogen now, which is
part of my weed problem. Corn likes a lot of nitrogen though and competes
with weeds better than most smaller crops, You might be in the same boat on that
count if it was chemical farmed, they use a LOT of nitrogen which is one of the
reasons they have to spray so much. I plant field peas in mid march
or so but Michigan might be a bit later as its colder there. You can also
plant a spring rye and let it winter kill so it will be decayed a bit before you
incorporate it also Sudan Grass will choke out weeds pretty well also.
Don't use it for feed if it gets frost on it though as its toxic then although
its fine before that. There are lots of options but sometimes having too
many can confuse you If you haven't checked out the ATTRA site they have
organic options there you might consider, especially about cover
crops
Wyatt Jones
The Inner Moon
Jamestown
Ohio
____________________________________________________________ Need cash? Click to get a cash advance. |
-
[Market-farming] Transition to Organic,
Michael Peck, 08/19/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Transition to Organic,
GlenEcoFarm, 08/24/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Transition to Organic, David Inglis, 08/24/2009
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
-
Re: [Market-farming] Transition to Organic,
Johnathan Avery Yelenick, 08/23/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Transition to Organic, Conrad, 08/29/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Transition to Organic, courtney mcleod, 08/24/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Transition to Organic, Wyatt Jones, 08/24/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Transition to Organic,
GlenEcoFarm, 08/24/2009
Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.