Re[2]: Growing alfalfa for plowing under
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re[2]: Growing alfalfa for plowing under
- From: c*@qntm.com (Chad Schroter)
- Date: Thu, 10 Jul 1997 14:43:26 -0600 (MDT)
Thanks for the warning about alfalfa as I have often seen it recommended
as a cover crop, particularly for penetrating hard soils with it's extensive
root system.
About double digging, The method described by John Jeavons takes special
care to avoid mixing of topsoil with subsoil. All English ( I mean books from
England) descriptions I have read make the same point. Only new organic matter
and fertilizers are to be added to the subsoil layer when double digging. I can
describe the method if anyone is interested, but it is somewhat difficult
without pictures
Chad Schroter
Los Gatos CA Zone 9
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Growing alfalfa for plowing under
Author: John Montgomery <monashee@bcgrizzly.com> at SMTP
Date: 7/10/97 11:41 AM
Please do not try seeding alfalfa into your soil. It is both slow and
expensive but it is also a devilish weed when it is in the wrong place and
I guarantee that you will define your garden as the wrong place if you get
it there.
A final thought. I am wondering if the often recommended method of "double
digging" is a good practice. On the surface it seems to me that it is not
wise to change the soil profile by exchanging top soil with sub soil. I
would welcome comments on this.
John Montgomery
onashee@bcgrizzly.com
Vernon BC Zone 5
Where last year we had record precipitation and st this time in 1997 we
have already had as much precipitation as we had by mid Sept. last year.
