From: london@sunSITE.unc.edu (Larry London)
Newsgroups: alt.sustainable.agriculture
Subject: Cover crops - general information
Date: 1 Jan 93 05:23:56 GMT
Organization: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

:
Article 7700 (99 more) in rec.gardens:
From: Paul Harvey
Subject: green manure cover crops mail order source
Date: 23 May 92 04:36:59 GMT
Organization: The Duck Pond public unix: +1 408 249 9630, log in as 'guest'.

Harmony Farm Supply, pobox 460, graton, ca, 95444, CAT $2, 128 pgs
707-823-9125

sample prices per pound: (clovers are coated with rhizobium bacteria)
crimson clover $1.59
hykon rose clover $2.89
white dutch clover $2.99
annual rye grass $0.49
blando brome $2.92
bonsai dwarf fescue $2.29
calif red oats $0.40
creeping red fescue $1.20
yellow mustard $1.20
bell beans $0.40
purple vetch $1.20
calif poppy $7.00

Article 5482 (106 more) in rec.gardens:
From: Michael Dean Mefferd
Subject: Re: Green Manure Request
Summary: more on green manure request
Date: 27 Feb 92 15:40:24 GMT

> Can someone give me some advice on a good green manure for the part of
> the garden that I will not put into production this year?
> My aims are to keep the weeds down and to add humus and nutrients
> to the soil. I have heard that alphalfa (sp?) works well but is
> difficult to till under. Should I consider clover? and if so what
> kind? I will be using a 5 HP rear tine tiller and would like to avoid
> having to mow the stuff first before turning it under.
> I also want something with low carry-over.

Actually, alfalfa is a nice choice.  You might want to reconsider mowing
before you till to reduce ware-and-tate on your tiller, reduce tangels
in the tines, and to speed decomposition.  Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is
kind of pretty.  It has clusters of small purple flowers.  I'd say the
best characteristic of alfalfa is that it grows very deep roots that
will bring up potash from deep within the soil.  Often there is plenty
of K in the soil but it is not available to the more shallow rooted
garden plants.  K is also very easily leached from the soil by watering
and rain.

You might even want to try a mix of cover crops.  If you plant just
about any vetch (genus Vicia) you'll get some nitrogen fixing results as
well.  Although legumes do have some good N fixation qualities, they can
become a nuisance.  Of course this is true of most cover crops that you
let go to seed.  You might even want to try several different cover
crops in the same season.  Grow some vetch and then till in under.  Then
grow some alfalfa and then till it under.  Oh, by the way, vetch also
has pretty little purple colored flowers.  If you want more information
on cover crops, send a request via E-mail and I'll get my literature
from home; it's fairly comprehensive.

Article 5595 (29 more) in rec.gardens:
From: Michael Dean Mefferd
Subject: cover crops/green manure crops
Keywords: cover crops/green manure crops
Date: 4 Mar 92 20:01:27 GMT

The following is a list of cover crops/green manure crops that you may
find useful.  This material was extracted from Rodale's Organic
Gardening "Best Ways To Improve Your Soil" which Rodale Press, Inc gave
me at no cost.

Other sources that I've found useful are Rodale's Organic Gardening
"Today's Best Gardening Ideas", and _Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia
of Gardening and Landscaping Techniques_.  I'm not selling Rodale Press,
Inc.

Keep in mind that the characteristics of each green manure crop will
vary according to climate and growing conditions.  Before resorting to
the seed sources listed, you may want to check out local garden centers
and farm supply stores for varieties that will grow best in your area.

Contact your Cooperative Extension Service for local planting dates.

where:                   a) N fixed per year, average (lbs./acre)
                         b) soil preferences
                         c) soil fertility needs
                         d) tolerates low pH
                         e) drought tolerance
                         f) seeding rate (oz./100 sq. ft.)
                         g) depth to cover seed (in.)
                         h) when to sow
                         i) when to turn under
legumes:
     alfalfa             a) 158-250
                         b) well drained, loamy, neutral pH
                         c) high
                         d) no
                         e) high
                         f) 1/2
                         g) 1/2
                         h) spring, fall
                         i) fall, spring

     garden beans        a) 40
                         b) loam
                         c) medium
                         d) no
                         e) medium
                         f) 4
                         g) 1 1/2
                         h) spring
                         i) fall

     fava beans          a) 71
                         b) widely adaptable
                         c) low
                         d) yes
                         e) medium
                         f) 8 inch centers
                         g) 1/8-1/4
                         h) spring, fall
                         i) fall, spring

     field peas          a) 32-48
                         b) heavy loam
                         c) low
                         d) no
                         e) medium
                         f) 4
                         g) 1 1/2
                         h) spring
                         i) fall

     soybeans            a) 58-105
                         b) loam
                         c) medium
                         d) no
                         e) medium
                         f) 2-3
                         g) 1 1/2
                         h) spring
                         i) fall

     hairy vetch         a) 80
                         b) widely adaptable, good in sandy soil
                         c) low
                         d) yes
                         e) high
                         f) 2 1/2
                         g) 3/4
                         h) spring, fall
                         i) fall or spring, spring

     clover:
          alsike         a) 119
                         b) heavy loam
                         c) high
                         d) yes
                         e) high
                         f) 1/4
                         g) 1/2
                         h) spring, fall
                         i) fall, spring

          crimson        a) 94
                         b) widely adaptable, good in sandy loam
                         c) medium
                         d) no
                         e) medium
                         f) 1/2-2/3
                         g) 1/2
                         h) spring, fall
                         i) fall, spring

          red            a) 103-151
                         b) loam
                         c) high
                         d) no
                         e) low
                         f) 1/3
                         g) 1/2
                         h) spring, fall
                         i) fall, spring

          sweet white    a) 93-168
                         b) heavy loam
                         c) high
                         d) no
                         e) medium
                         f) 1/2
                         g) 1/2
                         h) spring, fall
                         i) fall, spring

          sweet yellow   a) 93-168
                         b) widely adaptable
                         c) medium
                         d) no
                         e) high
                         f) 1
                         g) 1/2
                         h) spring, fall
                         i) fall, spring

          white dutch    a) 103-133
                         b) heavy loam
                         c) high
                         d) no
                         e) medium
                         f) 1/4
                         g) 1/2
                         h) spring, summer
                         i) fall

          white ladino   a) 179
                         b) sandy loam
                         c) medium
                         d) no
                         e) medium
                         f) 1/3
                         g) 1/2
                         h) spring, fall
                         i) fall, spring

grains:
     barley              a) 0
                         b) loamy, neutral to alkaline pH
                         c) medium
                         d) no
                         e) high
                         f) 4
                         g) 3/4
                         h) fall, spring
                         i) spring, fall

     buckwheat           a) 0
                         b) widely adaptable
                         c) low
                         d) yes
                         e) medium
                         f) 2 1/2
                         g) 3/4
                         h) spring, summer
                         i) summer, fall

     millet              a) 0
                         b) loam
                         c) low
                         d) yes
                         e) high
                         f) 2
                         g) 1/2
                         h) spring
                         i) fall

     oats                a) 0
                         b) widely adaptable
                         c) medium
                         d) yes
                         e) low
                         f) 4
                         g) 1
                         h) spring, fall
                         i) summer, spring

     winter rye          a) 0
                         b) widely adaptable
                         c) medium
                         d) no
                         e) high
                         f) 4
                         g) 3/4
                         h) fall
                         i) spring

     spring wheat        a) 0
                         b) loam
                         c) medium
                         d) no
                         e) high
                         f) 4
                         g) 3/4
                         h) spring
                         i) fall

     winter wheat        a) 0
                         b) loam
                         c) medium
                         d) no
                         e) high
                         f) 4
                         g) 3/4
                         h) fall
                         i) spring
: