Protecting root crops with straw
shermthewerm
8 years ago
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wayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Root crop puzzle
Comments (28)Now that's interesting. We get so used to hearing about P and K when it comes to root crops we end up neglecting N as if it's not needed at all. As it turns out, while I usually mulch over the winter with just shredded leaves, I kinda went Starbucks crazy this winter, and dumped a bunch of coffee grounds on top of the leaves. And of course, when I removed the mulch a bunch of grounds ended up in my soil. So many, in fact, that I was wondering if I overdid it. But I'm definitely in a carbon overload situation, and everything so far seems to be germinating normally, so maybe it won't turn out to be a problem. That does remind me though that I really should get some radishes in when the weather warms up again... I should also comment on chard. The past few years I've been hilling my potatoes with leaves and/or straw to combat the Colorado potato bug (works like a charm I might add!) Anyway, after digging up my spuds last year I tilled the leaves (which were essentially leaf mold) into the soil and then transplanted out some chard and kale into this area (without any fertilization). The kale didn't do much (but it was a dwarf variety and my first year, so I didn't know what to expect). It now appears that a good dose of N may have been in order. But my real point is that the chard went *gangbusters* - I had chard the size of bed sheets. Well, maybe flags :o) And as above, my lettuce always does very well as well... I guess the big question on my mind now is whether or not coffee grounds or seed meal will release their N fast enough to benefit radishes. I'm thinking that at this time of year possibly not. Might be time to pull out that gallon jug of fish emulsion I bought yesterday :o) Cheers, Tim...See MoreProtecting peaches in the 1800's during winter
Comments (10)The whole growing under glass was a major trend in the mid/late 1800's, both in the northeast US and in northern Europe. For peaches the extra heat afforded in the summer under glass helped ripening times, same for grapes and citrus. It was a rich persons hobby apparently, along with race horses etc. As far as (re)-learning old lessons from these books, that one cuts both ways. There is a ton of knowledge that got lost over the years so there is a lot we can (re)-learn from them, but on the other hand they had some significant misconceptions, for example they talk on and on about this supposed disease called "peach yellows" which is now believed to just be nutritional. Re: the late summer pruning I also believe the old authors have that one right. I should pull out a few of these old books and re-read them, I was reading many of them 4-5 years ago but have not done too much lately. Check out Wright's Fruit Grower's Guide, thats one of my favorites. Fruitnut, you would enjoy reading the long sections on growing fruit under glass. I also learned a lot from their pruning descriptions, it is surprising how advanced their pruning methods were 150 years ago. Scott...See MoreAnts making mounds around base of root crops
Comments (7)I have ants doing that at the base of all my crops. They are pretty small ants and they don't seem to be harming the plants so far. It's fairly sandy soil here and I think they are using the roots to help with the architecture of their nests. But I really have no clue and I'm keeping an eye on them......See MoreDo you use straw to protect over winter?
Comments (5)I don't know how cold you get there or how much snow cover either--- but where I live it can & does get down into the -20c to -30c and lots of snow most years. I do use straw (10-12 bales) I open them up and cover the plants with a foot at least of straw . We weedwack the plants down first except the grasses and shrubs to remove all debris. I let some plants lay their seeds down also I wait until the ground is frozen so the plant roots won't heave up and down with temp. in late fall early winter as this often is the cause of plants being lost eg. heurcheras.In the spring I slowly remove the straw to aclimatize the plants( the spring sun will kill the new light green growth & may cause you to loose the plant also). In the spring we remove the straw (when it's dried out )& put some into the compost, mulch some in around plants and use the rest to cover the walkways in the veggie garden. It makes working in the garden easier & cleaner. At the end of the growing season we rototil what's on the walkways into the veggie garden and start all over . This has worked for us for years- a bit of work but I've never lost a plant or shrub and I often grow z4-5 with success A bit long but hope this helps some- never have had rodent problems either. Lois...See Moreyolos - 8a Ga. Brooks
8 years agoglib
8 years agodigdirt2
8 years agoweedlady
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agowayne_5 zone 6a Central Indiana
8 years agoglib
8 years agoweedlady
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agolaceyvail 6A, WV
8 years ago
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