From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Rochester

I cut off the top two feet of the rye to remove the seeds. Ground is real dry.is it worth watering to keep the rye growing till fall? I,m referring to the cover crop I planted last fall.

7/15/2018 2:30:28 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Rye is normally matures and is dead by late July, early August. I wouldn't try to save it. You could try another cover crop for the fall. Daikon or groundhog radish will grow well if planted about the time rye normally matures. You don't need to till to plant it. Just make sure you have bare ground, maybe spray glyphosate to kill weeds, then just broadcast the seed. The first rain or good watering will get it growing. It is good for sequestering nitrogen for the next year and will loosen up the soil. It winter kills and decomposes quickly, but you might have some hard seeds germinate next spring. It has some of the disease fighting properties of mustard, just not as strong. You will need to use a little extra mycorrhizae next year. If you want a little more cover left on the soil by spring, add oats to the radish.

7/15/2018 6:39:51 PM