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  • From: <sunnfarm AT netscape.com>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Planting Winter Rye & Vetch
  • Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:07:11 -0700

I mow the field with a bush hog then scratch it up with a disc then broadcast rye and vetch then lightly disc again being careful not to throw too much soil around... If your going to till the soil early in April don't waste your money on vetch, it will never get any growth or fix nitrogen that early. I only use vetch on ground for later planting. Vetch makes most of its growth here in zone 7 from mid april to mid may. Vetch is said to produce 2 pound of nitrogen a day in May. So the longer you leave it to grow the better it gets. When I grow sweetcorn I let the vetch grow up to the the week before I seed the corn. I can grow some of the best looking corn anywhere with just vetch and no other fertilizers. Its a problem mixing vetch and rye because rye must be tilled early in the boot stage this is before the vetch get started. Be prepared for some serious tilling if you let both mature...Bob.
Sunny Meadow Farm
Bridgeton, NJ.

--- silverandsienna AT gmail.com wrote:

From: Michael Peck <silverandsienna AT gmail.com>
To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [Market-farming] Planting Winter Rye & Vetch
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:38:06 -0400

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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