North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Lucky Pittman <lucky.pittman@murraystate.edu>]

> Dave G and others have asked how the white clover garden system is working
> this year.  So far it looks great.  This is the second year of production
> with this system on this site, so it is hard to tell wether the Alice
> clover is making a big difference.  That said IMO Alice is a better clover
> for this, Really germinated strongly and hung on under weeds until I mowed
> or pulled them.  I have been using a standard side discharge push mower to
> clear out tall weeds, and only pulling those that are in close to my
> vegetables.  I have a propane weed torch that is a great tool.  It kills
> most small emergent weeds, and lets me burn back the clover to make rows or
> hills.  Two quick passes set fairly high top kills the clover and knocks
> out the stolons so it takes a few weeks to spread back into the row.  I let
> many of the weeds develop flowers  this spring in order to have a nectar
> source for predatory insects.  This seems to be working well.  Most of the
> usual pests have been knocked down quickly, plus between the feed available
> from clover and other weeds many critters never seem to need to munch my
> plants; the flea beatles worked over some wild brasicas and though I see
> some slugs in the clover, they have not munched the lettuce at all.  The
> soil is definitely cooler than a bare soil would be, but I think I'm
> picking up some advantages in better soil structure and worm
> population.   There may be some water stress on 10% or so of the tomatoes,
> the rest look really good.   I'm using a type of pot called a root trainer
> this year.  Very tall and narrow pots (1/2 inch X 4 inches or 2 cm X 12
> cm).  I'm really happy with them, planting is a snap.  I just use a spading
> fork (potato fork) to jack open the soil and then insert the plug.    I
> guess that's it for now.  I'm having folks over this Sunday 2 PM - ? to
> check the place out, grass beef burgers too of course.  All are welcome,
> call ahead for directions.
> M