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Farmington, Utah

Ont the 2oth of this month I Tilled in 6 yrds of Nutrimulch(mixture of composted turkey and cow manure) + an additional 2 yrds of a biosolids(mixture composted plant organics and treated sewer sludge). I was planning on putting down winter rye after our Thanksgiving trip to the in-laws. Came back to 20+ inches of snow. If we get clear ground come January thru February would that be to late to put down seed for a cover crop of winter rye? What is the latest that you can put on winter rye to be effective as a cover crop?
Kenny Blair

11/29/2001 12:14:41 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

i'm guessing the latest time you can plant winter rye depends on where you live. even though it's called "winter rye" it still needs to be warm enough for the seed to germinate...found that out the hard way, having spread the seeds only 3 weeks ago here in new england. we've since had frosts and 60+ degree weather, but still no rye. wondering if the seeds will winter ok and i'll have a bumper crop in the spring ? anybody know

11/29/2001 7:34:03 PM

Long Island,New York

Duff....if there's seed left (birds,squirrels, etc..) it will come up. Unless you look at ground level from the side you may not see it until its up 2 inches.....i'd bet its up now and you dont know it...........G

11/29/2001 8:18:42 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

G...i applaud your optimism !?!! i've got permanent grass stains on my jeans knees now, running from the driveway,
dropping to my knees and scanning the patch vista (only 1200 sq ft) at ground level...only to discern pine needles that have augered-in on their final descent !!! but fully comprehending your mastery of things GREEN...i will venture out again tomorrow A.M. in the hopes of confirming your
most welcomed optimism !

11/29/2001 8:43:19 PM

Puyallup, WA

My winter rye has virtually quit growing once the nightime temperatures dipped into the thirties. Daytime temps are in the fifties, but are of no help in raising the soil temperature which is necessary to spur growth.

11/29/2001 9:44:21 PM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

Throw your seed out on top of the snow, as soon as the weather is warm enough and the ground is warm enough it will grow, till in or dig up the plots for your seeds,cover them but let the rye keep growing untill you want to till it under by the time your pumpkins are ready for the rest of your patch it should be ready for them.
All you are trying to do is get the green mulch in the ground and weed free before your 2000#er need's it.

11/29/2001 10:14:36 PM

Puyallup, WA

Perhaps you are more fortuate than we are, but we have an abundance of crows in our area. If seed were simply cast on top of the snow, it wouldn't last two days! Last year, I tried sowing the rye seed on top of the ground without discing it in. I'd say that fifty percent was gone in two days.....thanks to over one hundred noisy crows. :>)

11/29/2001 11:40:50 PM

Western WA

I understand what your saying Stan. A couple of years ago, 1999 I think, I put down a layer of mulch on my patch and then put the Winter Rye seeds just below it and I ended up seeing birds I have never even seen before digging in my patch. Therefore, do not try and put the seeds anywhere near the surface of your patch (depending on where you live)
or you might have to learn the hard way. Like I did...

11/30/2001 12:28:21 AM

Deer Park WA

K&P, Broadcast your seed as soon as the ground thaws and then rake it in about an inch or so, by planting time you will have a nice crop to plow down. I found that it is best to broadcast your cover crop in the fall as soon as all your "Amendments" are in. I then lightly run over the planting area with my front tine tiller. I still have to double the recommended amount of seed as the birds and critters always get their fair share.

Happy Holidays Gerry Gadberry...................

11/30/2001 2:01:41 AM

Utah

Kenny-
I'm afraid some people giving you recommendations might not know how cold wasatch front winters can be.
I would guess the in Bountiful that the ground typically would not warm up enough to germinate the rye till march or april or even may. Depending upon what kind of spring you have next year. the last frost is usually in may right ?
I'm not not sure how long rye need to be in the ground for it to be worth while or if one frost will do it in. but it sounds like that might be the case.
sorry i don't know all the answers your questions but at least i think it gives you something to think about- and maybe others can comment also.
gordon

11/30/2001 11:56:00 AM

Farmington, Utah

Gordon and all, thanks for your info. Gordon, your right. It is cold here. We were 9 degrees the other night and have almost 30" of snow on the ground right now. We usually get what we call our February thaw(mid Jan. - mid Feb.) when temps will reach the 50's for a week or 2. Would that be enough to get the rye to germinate and provide me with a good green manure crop. This will be the first time I've done a cover crop, I hope I haven't missed my window of opportunity. Once it germinates does it take hold and then start greening again or does it totally die out in extreme cold temps? Thanks for everyone's advise. If ther is more please pipe in.
Kenny

11/30/2001 3:57:30 PM

Tipp City, Ohio

I would go for it. Winter rye here is only about $6 for 50 lb. Better to plant the rye and lose the green manure due to Mother nature than not to plant and have mild winter. Just my 2 cents....Tom

11/30/2001 8:43:08 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

last year i got my winter rye in the patch earlier than this year and got what appeared to be a bumper crop. the deer thought so too and munched it to ground level. i thought it's value was lost. a commercial pumpkin grower enlightened me this year. the biggest value of winter rye is its massive root structure that keeps the soil fluffed during snow season, and its ability to combat erosion.
tilling in all the nitrogen rich green cover in the spring is just a bonus !

11/30/2001 8:55:35 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

G...right again ol' boy! rye in my patch is up about 2" now.
geesh...gotta get some new eyeglasses...lol

12/1/2001 5:38:15 PM

Long Island,New York

Hey....even a broken clock is right twice a day Duff....I got lucky ! .....G

12/1/2001 5:59:42 PM

Puyallup, WA

Sorry "duff", I won't have my optometric equipment when I come out to see you! ;>)

12/1/2001 7:43:30 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Stan, just package up a little of that PNW magic that makes really big pumpkins and i'll gladly share that with G and anyone one else for the askin'!

12/2/2001 8:01:02 PM

Utah

Kenny-
I grew up in Salt Lake so i know how cold the winters can
be there. but i never tired a cover crop there so i don't know if what you are proposing would work. sounds like the
seed is pretty cheap - so you can always just try it and see how it works for you.
gordon

12/3/2001 10:51:05 AM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

Why is everyone so worried about how much mulch they end up with??
Throw out enough seed that the bird's and the what ever get some.
throw it out between snow storms and they will hit the ground in spring.
yes it will get eat by what ever but remember this (and this is what my great Grandpa told me)
One seed for mother nature and one seed for the bird's and one for your self, It has worked for ever.
We are not growing Garbage, or at least,I'm not growing a throw away fruit.
I grow to improve my way of growing, and I make shure it goes to some one who wants it.
There is enough Pumpkin out there, given to the right people,
That Could help some one to have, at least a pumpkin pie through a soup kitchen or whatever, At Christmas or any time of year.
Waste not whant not or at least you knew you helped some one.
H-K-J

12/3/2001 10:59:45 PM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

Sorry just kinduh flew off on that one.
( hate to see food wasted)
H-K-J

12/3/2001 11:07:52 PM