To: "Helga and Bert Dunn" <helbert@idirect.com>, "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: RE: [NAFEX] 'non synthetic' herbicide
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 17:56:15 -0500
Hi Bert. Hope winter is much milder in Tottenham than it is here. We have
used buckwheat extensively as a cover/smother crop which is fabulous. Bees
love it and it puts a huge amount of organic matter back to the soil. It is
not however a nitrogen fixer. It breaks down very quickly - literally
within weeks of being incorporated. We mow then disc. You can actually
grow a couple to three crops a season which really works well on controlling
Canadian thistle, eh? I like the idea of knocking it down and using it as a
mulch (I haven't tried this but plan on it this year). Sudan grass and
black medic are also a couple highly recommended cover/smother crops but I
haven't tried either. Anyone have experience with black medic.
Regards,
Gord
www.logcabinorchard.com
Osgoode, ON
Canada, eh?
-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of Helga and Bert Dunn
Sent: February 17, 2003 6:52 PM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] 'non synthetic' herbicide
Hello Gord
Please explain "smother crops". I have , it seems, more than my fair share
of weeds Cheers Bert
Bert Dunn RR4 Tottenham Ont zone 4b
www.hardygrapes.tottenham.on.ca
THINK BLENDING, NOT VARIETALS
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gord Hawkes" <mail@logcabinorchard.com>
To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 5:33 PM
I'd be interested in what you have to say about using smother
> crops to suppress weeds.
>
> Gord Hawkes
> Log Cabin Organic Orchard
> Osgoode, ON