From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Canada

Well Fall is here and my garden has been cleaned out for
a good 3 weeks now its been dug up and turned over and
i just finished cutting the grass for the last time this year along cutting the grass i now have a Hudge pile of
leaves that have been mulched up well with the lawn mower

do Tree leaves and Grass Clippings make a good additive to the garden? if dug in well will these brake down enough for spring plantings?
thanks
Dave

10/11/2003 3:14:38 PM

San Diego

I put in a huge amount of grass clippings a month before planting last spring. They broke down nicely in my warm weather spring time in San Diego in about 3 weeks. Jim

10/11/2003 4:48:22 PM

Montoursville, PA

Yes by all means put those goodies in and plant a cover crop to turn in next spring.

10/11/2003 4:56:45 PM

Puyallup, WA

While vegetation will not breakdown in your cold climate as quickly as in San Diego, it will still be appropriate to
rototill into the soil ASAP or even next Spring as soon as the soil can be worked.

10/11/2003 6:46:13 PM

Canada

Thanks for all the Great Information !!

AS far as a cover crop goes Ive been told to plant an
winter Rye crop BUT were abouts do i get the seeds to do this and how is it planted? and does it grow like a grass and die in the spring to be pulled or is it dug in or whats the deal with winter rye? never really heard of the stuff till i visted this site?

But thanks to all the people whom have given me the good information i believe 2004's growing season will be the best

seeing the past few years have been simply just plant them and water them and let them grow I now know there is more to it then just that and am hopeing for the best for 04!!

thanks again

DaveM :-)

10/11/2003 11:52:40 PM

Canada

P.S

Approx How many Pounds of Seed should I Buy for an garden of
12x15 foot size sqaure? how many pounds will do the job required? Say I plant it in Nov when does it get pulled or dug in? how does this work never planted i before

thanks again DaveM

10/11/2003 11:59:27 PM

Puyallup, WA

Unless you can find a store that sells in "bulk", you will have to buy a 50# bag!! Perhaps you could find a few friends to grow a cover crop? :>)

10/12/2003 10:03:41 AM

Walton N.y.

less than 1 lb will do but most places sell winter rye by the lb i would check local farm supply stores 1st then maybe home centers to plant on tilled soil just broadcast the seed then take a rake to lightly cover the seed if you don't cover them all don't worry it's ok if you can get them germinated before cold weather really sets in young plants will grow under snow cover and in early spring if all goes well you'll have to mow it down and i find it you let the clippings dry a few days the till in better but i'm probably loosing some nutrients

10/12/2003 10:06:08 AM

Tacoma, WA

"if you don't cover them all don't worry, it's ok ....."

It's not OK, if the neighborhood crows all decend on your patch and have a feast on your seed!! Been there....done that!! :>(

Stan

10/13/2003 1:21:41 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Dave. In your phone book, find your local Co-op. They have helped me a great deal in Simcoe County. They can help you with all sorts of things and soil supplements too. Farm feed stores are a good resource as well. Any country hardware store in your county can help too. They can direct you to the places that carry what you need. You may even be able to ask the farmer you got the manure from for help. Contacts for us beginners are difficult. You are progressing well. See you at the scales next year.

10/13/2003 5:58:31 PM

Walton N.y.

stan,
i guess i'm lucky the birds have never bothered my winter rye seed or maybe they're afraid of getting lead poisoning

10/13/2003 7:38:19 PM

Tacoma, WA

BINGO!!!! :>)

Stan

10/14/2003 5:39:12 PM