Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
October 26, 2011 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tracy, California
Posts: 63
|
What is a good cover crop blend for tomatoes.
I planted oats last year, I want to try a mix, oats, hetch, fava beans.
Any other ideas' Matt |
October 26, 2011 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: WI, USA Zone4
Posts: 1,887
|
Don't forget clover.
|
October 28, 2011 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
|
You can probably grow most any winter cover crop in central California.
Here is a blend from Peaceful Valley: http://www.groworganic.com/soil-builder-mix-raw-lb.html Another from LA Hearne: http://www.hearneseed.com/product-in...ted-pid85.html Crimson Clover is kind of pricy, but it should do well in your climate for a winter cover crop. A guide from UCDavis with fairly wide coverage of cover crop species used in California: http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/cgi-bin/ccrop.exe
__________________
-- alias |
January 13, 2012 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 81
|
What would be a good suggestion for zone 4b/5?
__________________
Shannon |
January 13, 2012 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SLO, CA
Posts: 99
|
I'm using hairy vetch on the coast. I find that it starts really really slooow, but then picks up and grows like heck in April/May. Since that's the time I want to plan, I think I'll be trying something more cold tolerant (or at least different) next year.
|
January 13, 2012 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
|
Here is a different perspective on killing Rye early, long before it has
flowered: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/bjorkman...rly-spring.php Look at the description of sub-clover in this document: http://newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/f...ll/chart.shtml I have not tried it, but according to the description you plant in late summer, and in late spring it flowers, sets seed, and dies, no need to mow it. Seeds will sprout again in late summer or fall. It can be hardy to 0-15F over winter, depending on cultivar. There are a *lot* of different subclover cultivars, with different growth habits, dates of flowering and maturity, etc: http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/cgi-bin...E/show_crop_39 Here is Peaceful Valley's mix (apparently out of stock, but this will give you some idea of cost/lb): http://www.groworganic.com/subterran...coated-lb.html
__________________
-- alias |
January 13, 2012 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 377
|
It's not a blend but I'm trying Dwarf Essex Rape as a winter cover crop. It's supposedly toxic to root knot nematodes too.
__________________
Jerry - You only get old if you're lucky. |
January 14, 2012 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
|
Some resources on cover crop use in Nebraska:
http://www.nebsusag.org/resources/res_covercrops.htm http://farmprogress.com/nebraska-far...ops/41/46/1092 http://farmprogress.com/nebraska-far...x?lc=46&plc=41
__________________
-- alias |
|
|