Winter preparations
------1------
I have looked through the pumpkin list archive and found that most people
plant rye as a winter/cover crop. Why is this the preferred crop to plant?
Others again (including local gardeners) recommend that you should plant
peas, comfrey or lucerne. I have read somewhere that yarrow brings about a
beneficial chemical reaction in the soil. Does rye have the same effect?
------2------
Something else that concerns me is whether the crop would have enough time
to decompose before the growing season start if the crop is tilled in at the
start of spring. I would think that it would be very slow to break down
since that is how you make anaerobic (cold) compost. The air should help
decompose the tilled-in crop. Local gardeners recommend that the cover crop
can be clipped, left to dry on a heap and then put on top of the soil or
tilled in.
------3------
About manure. I am planning to plant my cover crop next week. It is now
about 6 months before the growing season starts. The soil isn't particularly
rich in organic material currently. Should one add rotted manure now to give
the soil a boost or should I only add compost just before planting?
I would appreciate any help or advice.
Regards
Piet Coetzee
Stellenbosch - South Africa
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