Cover Crop

Natalie

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I planted WAY too much lettuce this year, and now that lettuce season is almost over I am going to have a very large area of empty garden. I have heard of using clover as a cover crop to keep weeds out while I'm not growing anything. The weeds get pretty raucous out there as the garden is next to a hay field. Anyone ever done something like this or have other ideas?
 

Greenthumb18

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I planted barley as a cover crop this past spring and i just made a little hay out of it, i'm thinking for next year to plant more and different kinds of cover crops.
You could plant a quick maturing vegetable instead of the covercrop in that large garden space.
 

Natalie

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I'd have to look into what else I could plant. I'm in WI so the growing season is pretty short, and we're pretty well into it already. Anyone else have an idea what I could plant in July that would be productive?
 

Hattie the Hen

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:frow Hi there! :frow

I think Clover is a great idea, especially if you also keep chickens (as I do). I tend to grow red clover as my chickens prefer it.

It's good for the soil, looks good, keeps the weeds down & feeds the chickens something they enjoy & which is very good for them. It is also easy to turn into the soil just before you want to sow or transplant in the area.

:rose Hattie :rose
 

HiDelight

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I am going to try buckwheat if I can find some ..do you think if I planted whole buckwheat from the healthfood store it would grow?

I dont know what it should look like this will be my first time

I have eaten groats but not sure if they are processed or not
 

me&thegals

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Hi--I'm in WI, too. I'm doing second plantings of a ton of things for fall that you could use to keep weeds out--carrots, beets, green beans, summer squash, basil, lettuce, spinach, etc. Of course, the greens would need pretty consistent water to germinate and keep from frying.

Otherwise, rye has been working great as a cover crop for me in those areas I have open between plantings. Not sure how it will die for next year, but time will tell :D
 
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