Growing Together: Open Forum

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  • 1.  Cover crops

    Posted 03-02-2022 04:37:00 PM
    Edited by Camille Walker 03-03-2022 11:38:41 AM

    In the monthly discussion I believe Nathan spoke about cover crops.   If I wanted to plant peas and oats for a winter kill cover crop when would I plant it?  I am in chicago in zone 5.  I am hoping to plant them next year   

    I have never planted a cover crop
    so any tips would be welcome.   One big question I have is where do you buy seeds for that?  I buy my school garden seeds at fedco and they seem to not have cover crop seed.  



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    Camille Walker
    Elementary school garden
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  • 2.  RE: Cover crops

    Posted 03-03-2022 11:33:00 AM
    Cover crop should have been planted in late fall after last crops harvested.
    Contact Soil & Water Conservation District to ask about cover crops. Find your local office at
    https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Resources/LandWater/Pages/Soil-Water-Conservation-Districts-Directory.aspx
    Intended for farmers, but they should be able to point you in right direction.
    Carol Kinsley

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    Carol Kinsley
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Cover crops

    Posted 03-03-2022 11:45:00 AM
    @Nathan Larson any info or resources for Camille?​

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    Amelia Dupuis
    Kids Garden Community Manager
    KidsGardening
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Cover crops

    Posted 03-07-2022 07:30:00 PM
    Hi Camille, 

    I would recommend a field peas and oats mix for either spring or fall plantings and buckwheat in the summer. I've had good experiences with cover crop seeds from High Mowing Organic Seeds (see links above). 

    Best, 
    Nathan

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    Nathan Larson
    Rooted & UW-Madison
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Cover crops

    Posted 03-08-2022 08:38:00 AM
    I didn't know there were any cover crops for Spring and Summer! Thanks for that tip! Do you folks know of any that do well in poor soil and shady conditions?
    Rachel in Maryland near DC



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Cover crops

    Posted 03-08-2022 08:43:00 AM
    Hi Rachel,

    It depends upon the season. AVOID crimson clover because it is invasive.  Here are some for all areas of the country and times of the year.  Peas -- like pigeon peas -- are great because they add back a ton of green manure and nitrogen. 

    --
    Michelle Zupan
    Curator 
    Hickory Hill & the Tom Watson Birthplace
    502 Hickory Hill Drive
    Thomson, GA  30824
    706-595-7777
    FAX: 706-595-7177

    Visit us at www.hickory-hill.org or on Facebook.
    Follow us on Twitter: HHEducation

    Historic homes of the Watson-Brown Foundation, Inc. 






    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Cover crops

    Posted 03-03-2022 01:33:00 PM
    Hi Camille,

    Plant your cover crop after your final harvest. 
    Johnny's Selected Seeds sells large quantity cover crop seed.  They even had a pea/oat mix.  
    https://www.johnnyseeds.com/?source=google_johnny_seeds&gclid=Cj0KCQiA64GRBhCZARIsAHOLriIqy_MYSA1WiQ4BS7ARz0QYbRSfDrjkHCghE-OnXuLN6uv31BhyCwUaAjonEALw_wcB

    --
    Michelle Zupan
    Curator 
    Hickory Hill & the Tom Watson Birthplace
    502 Hickory Hill Drive
    Thomson, GA  30824
    706-595-7777
    FAX: 706-595-7177

    Visit us at www.hickory-hill.org or on Facebook.
    Follow us on Twitter: HHEducation

    Historic homes of the Watson-Brown Foundation, Inc. 






    Original Message


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