soil improvement crops?

johno · 02-13-2008, 07:52 PM

I hope that Iron and Clay cowpeas are listed in the 2008 yearbook, because I could really use them around here for soil improvement...

But my real question is, does anyone know of heirloom varieties of alfalfa?

lavandula girl · 02-13-2008, 07:53 PM

Cossack Alfalfa is an heirloom. Niels Hansen brought it back from Siberia at the beginning of the 20th century.

canadamike · 02-13-2008, 07:54 PM

Hybrid alfalfa is so new it has not pervade the market, I would think. Not here anyway...This is not to say that it is nowhere to be found. Given the nature of the plant, it seems that the regular one is the most common. And I am not sure I would bother too much. Go to the co-op, and buy the cheapest one. It won't be a hybrid.

I know I have never seen it. It HAS to be more expensive. And personally knowing the owner of our former coop store now turned private, if he could, he would...And I think from our previous discussions on another forum you know I am very partial to the use of alfalfa

Michel Lachaume

Wyandotte · 07-07-2008, 04:59 PM

Hi, I need some advice. Legumes and broadbeans in particular, of which I have a couple of rows, are supposed to function as a soil enhancer. Does this mean that when the season is finished, I leave the entire plant to stand over the winter until I am read to seed again in that space the next spring? I do everything by hand, no rototiller or anything. Would there be enough breakdown in the root area for it to make any difference? As you can see, I don't know much, but I have heard that legumes and esp. broadbeans are supposed to be good for the soil. Thx.

canadamike · 07-07-2008, 10:33 PM

If I was you, I would turn them under as soon as harvested and the greenest possible. By hand, it is much easier, and they will decompose faster.

Wyandotte · 07-16-2008, 02:59 PM

Thanks for response, CanadaMike. I am not planning to pick the beans when fresh, though. I want to wait for them to get mature & store them. Was wondering just where the soil-enhancing aspect comes from: the roots, or the fresh green leaves?

julieB · 07-18-2008, 07:51 PM

What a great question! When I thought about it, I realized I didn't know and started looking and asking.

The cover crops themselves break up difficult dirt, and their organic matter adds to the health of the soil. Some vegetable crops are nitrogen hogs (corn, I think, for example) and cover crops replace some of that loss.

Cover crops are either planted before your crop, or concurrent with:

(1) Cover crops planted and then mowed or tilled in before you plant your "crop" where they decompose and add nutrition and tilth to your soil.

(2) "Living or Green Mulches" are companion plantings of cover crops while your plants are growing. This is also done in orchards. They may be mown during the growing season, or left as is. These can help with wind breaks, traction and erosion as well as soil health.

Two sites that I found useful for your question is:

www.csrees.usda.gov this is the national extension office and will direct you to the information for your area. Their information is geared to to the home gardener/orchardist. You can then better choose which cover crops, and learn specifically when to plant and how to care for your cover crops. The benefit to this organization is that it only releases information that is scientifically tested. Maybe you heard of 4-H and Master Gardeners? They are also run out of the Extension. Their services are free and there is a wealth of information.

http://attra.ncat.org this site is new to me, but was recommended from a friend who inspects organic farms for certification. Their information was a little more geared to the farmer, but the information was very accessible, and I was impressed. Which cover crop does what and by how much, etc. I am a fool for tables of data, and ATTRA delivered.

The ATTRA article Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures July 2003 was great.

If I missed the boat on your question, please let me know and maybe we can figure this one out.

Julie

Wyandotte · 07-20-2008, 03:41 PM

Thanks, julieB, for your input. It looks like I have some serious reading ahead of me!

02-13-2008, 07:52 PM	#1
johno Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Central Arkansas Posts: 84	soil improvement crops? I hope that Iron and Clay cowpeas are listed in the 2008 yearbook, because I could really use them around here for soil improvement... But my real question is, does anyone know of heirloom varieties of alfalfa?

07-07-2008, 04:59 PM	#4
Wyandotte Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 31	Broadbeans as soil improver. Hi, I need some advice. Legumes and broadbeans in particular, of which I have a couple of rows, are supposed to function as a soil enhancer. Does this mean that when the season is finished, I leave the entire plant to stand over the winter until I am read to seed again in that space the next spring? I do everything by hand, no rototiller or anything. Would there be enough breakdown in the root area for it to make any difference? As you can see, I don't know much, but I have heard that legumes and esp. broadbeans are supposed to be good for the soil. Thx.

07-07-2008, 10:33 PM	#5
canadamike garden to table fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 102	Cover Crops And Such If I was you, I would turn them under as soon as harvested and the greenest possible. By hand, it is much easier, and they will decompose faster.

07-18-2008, 07:51 PM	#7
julieB julieB Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: No. CA Sunset zone 9 Posts: 7	Cover Crop Functions What a great question! When I thought about it, I realized I didn't know and started looking and asking. The cover crops themselves break up difficult dirt, and their organic matter adds to the health of the soil. Some vegetable crops are nitrogen hogs (corn, I think, for example) and cover crops replace some of that loss. Cover crops are either planted before your crop, or concurrent with: (1) Cover crops planted and then mowed or tilled in before you plant your "crop" where they decompose and add nutrition and tilth to your soil. (2) "Living or Green Mulches" are companion plantings of cover crops while your plants are growing. This is also done in orchards. They may be mown during the growing season, or left as is. These can help with wind breaks, traction and erosion as well as soil health. Two sites that I found useful for your question is: www.csrees.usda.gov this is the national extension office and will direct you to the information for your area. Their information is geared to to the home gardener/orchardist. You can then better choose which cover crops, and learn specifically when to plant and how to care for your cover crops. The benefit to this organization is that it only releases information that is scientifically tested. Maybe you heard of 4-H and Master Gardeners? They are also run out of the Extension. Their services are free and there is a wealth of information. http://attra.ncat.org this site is new to me, but was recommended from a friend who inspects organic farms for certification. Their information was a little more geared to the farmer, but the information was very accessible, and I was impressed. Which cover crop does what and by how much, etc. I am a fool for tables of data, and ATTRA delivered. The ATTRA article Overview of Cover Crops and Green Manures July 2003 was great. If I missed the boat on your question, please let me know and maybe we can figure this one out. Julie

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-13-2008, 07:53 PM	#2
lavandula girl Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2	Cossack Alfalfa is an heirloom. Niels Hansen brought it back from Siberia at the beginning of the 20th century.

02-13-2008, 07:54 PM	#3
canadamike garden to table fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 102	Hybrid alfalfa is so new it has not pervade the market, I would think. Not here anyway...This is not to say that it is nowhere to be found. Given the nature of the plant, it seems that the regular one is the most common. And I am not sure I would bother too much. Go to the co-op, and buy the cheapest one. It won't be a hybrid. I know I have never seen it. It HAS to be more expensive. And personally knowing the owner of our former coop store now turned private, if he could, he would...And I think from our previous discussions on another forum you know I am very partial to the use of alfalfa Michel Lachaume

07-16-2008, 02:59 PM	#6
Wyandotte Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 31	Thanks for response, CanadaMike. I am not planning to pick the beans when fresh, though. I want to wait for them to get mature & store them. Was wondering just where the soil-enhancing aspect comes from: the roots, or the fresh green leaves?

07-20-2008, 03:41 PM	#8
Wyandotte Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 31	Thanks, julieB, for your input. It looks like I have some serious reading ahead of me!