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This past fall I planted winter rye. before the snow fell it came up thick, green, and was about 4" tall. We had well over 100" of snow this winter, and when it finally melted the winter rye looked terrible. Only about 25% of it is still green. The rest is brown and matted down and looks terrible. Is this normal and do you think that it will come back. I've seen this stuff in other peoples gardens in the spring stand almost 1 foot tall. Thanks Tony

3/27/2005 5:57:33 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

It is what is underneath that is important. It should come out of dormancy soon.Our looks the same way right now. By Mid-May it is a solid mass of green.

3/27/2005 6:17:14 PM

Montoursville, PA

We have had a lot of snow too. It is now melted off just a few days ago. The cover crop should perk up. The top leaves that went down will add their value as they rot and get consumed, by the patch.

3/27/2005 8:34:56 PM

[email protected]

We had Gray Snow Mold on our Winter Rye. There is also a Pink version. Gray is rarely fatal & a light raking brings the vitality back. Pink Snow Mold is often fatal.

Neither really matters as they don't infect Pumpkins & the Rye needs to die soon anyway.

3/27/2005 9:14:04 PM

Montoursville, PA

I would like to add that our cover crop should be down and in the soil at least three weeks ahead of planting. Note that this applies only to your nursery area.

That being the case you have time to wait for a cover crop recovery. You can work it down and in just ahead of the growing vines. Some growers are now planting an early spring cover crop which is a second effort to get needed natural elements in some two weeks to three weeks ahead of the first females. This delivers good nutrients exactly when the plant and developing fruit need it. To date I will admit being lazy. Instead of a second spring cover crop I have been known to introduce Alfalfa Meal about the time the first males appear. How much? About two or three pounds right beside the developing vines lightly raked in as they grow. Three or four weeks later the additives are exactly where you want them. Begining to convert through humus to humates. Your plant knows what to do with this process, to grow a dandy. Buckwheat would be a good choice for the spring second cover crop.

3/28/2005 11:09:25 AM