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  • From: Richard Robinson <rrobinson AT nasw.org>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Planting Winter Rye & Vetch
  • Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:53:13 -0400

Others will no doubt offer more authoritative replies, but i would say that
that rate sounds a bit light. If it were me, I wouldn't worry about the exact
ratio, and would instead concentrate on getting good coverage, as a weed
suppressing strategy and to build up organic matter. Watering is nice, but if
the soil is moist, you may be able to get good sprouting without it.
Scratching the soil will help. I've done this by dragging a piece of
chain-link fence across it by hand, or pulling the spring-tooth harrow with
the teeth mostly up. I'm told my grandfather did it by dragging brush--that'd
work too. The winter rye won't winter kill (I'm not certain the vetch will
either), and if you want to plow or till, you'll want to plan to mow it down
before it gets too tall in the spring, so it doesn't foul your equipment, or
chop it up with a disc harrow if you cut it tall. Another option on a field
that size might be to let it grow tall, cut it, and rake it into rows on the
field, allowing it to mulch the rows, while you till the rest. But waiting
that long may let the weeds get too big.

--
Richard Robinson
http://www.nasw.org/users/rrobinson/


On Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:38:06 -0400, Michael Peck wrote:
> I am getting ready to plant my first field.  The land has sat for a year
>with
> weeds.  I have chosen Winter Rye and Hairy Vetch to winter kill; In spring-
> mow & turn under.  The .61 acre has been fitted and is ready to plant.     
> 1- Is 2# / 1000sq ft  of 78% Rye, 22% Vetch adequate?           I measured
> out a trial run and the seed seems scantly spread across the area at that
> rate.         I can get more rye, but not vetch in short order.  Would it be
> bad to add more rye, throwing off my rye/vetch ratio?          2- Do I need
> to water?
>        I read to keep the seeds damp while germinating.  There is no rain in
> sight.          I am approx. 6 weeks from first frost.  Says to plant 4-6
> weeks before.
>
>
> 3- Should I rake the seed in.
>        I will be hand broadcasting.  Some say just throw in on top.  Most
> reading says to rake it in lightly.  
>        Any suggestions.
>
>
> Thanks, 
> Michael






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