Re: nurse crops

**E*@aol.com**

It usually isn't used for all legumes but early ones like  peas. by the 
time you are done harvesting peas, the oats would be getting tall.  If you used 
it for beans, you should use pole beans because oats can grow 3-5  ft. 
tall. If you sow them in the early fall, you could till them in the spring  and 
they would add nitrogen. I've use winter rye for my garden.

Mrs. Know It All of "The Organic Gardeners"
Author "Eat Your  Roses" Pansies, Lavender and 49 other Delicious Flowers
GWA Region 2  Director

"There's a few things I've learned in life: always throw  salt over your 
left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender  for good 
luck, and fall in love whenever you can" 
Practical  Magic  

In a message dated 7/4/2013 9:18:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
thehoosiergardener@gmail.com writes:

I  researched this online and with someone else before posting. I saw the  
Wikipedia explanation, but it just wasn't coming through to me. 

So in  the example I gave, you'd sow oats and legume at the same time and 
the oats  would die and the legumes would take over?

jems

On Jul 4, 2013,  at 9:12 PM, Edibleflowers1@aol.com wrote:

JoEllen,
A nurse crop  is used to allow the main crop to grow and  take 
hold. Annual rye grass is mixed  with Kentucky blue to allow it  to get 
established and minimize weed seeds from  taking over the  Kentucky blue. 
For legumes, 
the oats would provide the same  benefit  plus it really isn't winter hardy 
and would be tilled under in the   spring adding additional nitrogen.
Hope that helps.
denise

Mrs.  Know It All of "The Organic Gardeners"
Author "Eat Your  Roses"  Pansies, Lavender and 49 other Delicious Flowers
GWA Region 2   Director

"There's a few things I've learned in life: always  throw  salt over your 
left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden  gate, plant lavender  for good 
luck, and fall in love whenever you  can" 
Practical  Magic  

In a message dated 7/4/2013  9:04:38 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
thehoosiergardener@gmail.com  writes:

Can  anyone please explain to me about a nurse crop...such  as oat as a 
nurse crop  for legumes...the purpose of a nurse crop is  what? and what 
does 
planting oat  have to do with planting  legumes?

Thank   you.

jems

_____________________
Jo Ellen Meyers   Sharp
Director, Garden Writers   Association
thehoosiergardener@gmail.com
www.hoosiergardener.com
Co-author,   The Indiana Gardener's Guide
Author, The Visitor's Guide to American   Gardens
Great Garden   Speakers

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_____________________
Jo Ellen  Meyers Sharp
Director, Garden Writers  Association
thehoosiergardener@gmail.com
www.hoosiergardener.com
Co-author,  The Indiana Gardener's Guide
Author, The Visitor's Guide to American  Gardens
Great Garden  Speakers

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