My Cover Crop ‘Living Mulch’ Was a Total Waste of Time

Рет қаралды 1,910

Жыл бұрын

While I still love cover crops and living mulches, I didn't consider two important limitations of them...and am now redoing a bunch of wasted effort. Sharing my mistakes so others can avoid them.

Пікірлер: 25

@theobserver9131 Жыл бұрын

I take risks all the time. I experiment. It's only a waste of time if you don't learn something from it. One thing I'm trying to do different is not using my whole garden in one experiment. If it's a negative result, it can be devastating.

@WellGroundedGardens Жыл бұрын

For sure. I don’t exactly “regret” this one since the cost was just a package of seeds. I figure if I learn, good, if other people learn along with me-even better. :)

@theobserver9131 Жыл бұрын

@@WellGroundedGardens My latest ongoing experiment is using cedar chips as mulch. I had to remove two cedars from too near our house, and I chipped all the branches that were small enough for my chipper.... I was worried that cedar would be toxic to plants, but so far, so good! The cedar seems to repel bugs, and the plants look good.

@theobserver9131 Жыл бұрын

Last year, and some earlier this year, I was using grass clippings for much. That didn't work out so well. Bugs, especially ants and slugs seem to love grass clippings. I'm saving grass clippings for the compost pile.

@user-nz1jy2lg6v 11 ай бұрын

Great idea so far. Thanks, for sharing with us.

@WellGroundedGardens 11 ай бұрын

Glad they’re helpful. :)

@VegetaGrowsAtHome Жыл бұрын

It is tricky. I wasted 6 weeks myself doing the same thing. But back to the drawing board 💪🏽😁

@WellGroundedGardens Жыл бұрын

Experience…the best teacher. At least this way other people can learn from my mistakes. 😂

@davidvankainen6711 5 ай бұрын

Maybe you just missed putting cardboard under the beds themselves vs. only the pathways (ala Charles Dowding)? If rhizomes are creeping in, may need to slice them near the fence on occassion. Crimson Clover or the Winter Peas as you mention will be easier to rip above ground stems away from crop plants compared to perennial alphalfa or (as I found out, Lentils) or Winter Rye, etc. Oats are nice if you want them to winter kill naturally. Some folks have a disdain for Hairy Vetch because it sprawls out so much, but I've found relatively easy to rip away from sensitive areas. I embrace the natural re-seeding of both CC and Vetch, just weed it out where I need to. Kodiak Yellow Mustard rocks as part of the mix in my erosion area nearby the garden and also re-seeds if you let it and grows quickly. At least in my S. Michigan area it produces a second "crop" the same year. The white moths seem to be more attracted to them vs. the brassicas in the garden, an added benefit. Spot on about Buckwheat. Quick to grow and dies from frost. Simply crimp it over with feet or board edge and it will die. I keep the roots in the ground and leave the stems lay on top as a mulch full of moisture and plant into it.

@WellGroundedGardens 5 ай бұрын

The grass seemed to be shallow, e.g., blown in seeds versus coming up from rhizomes, but it’s entirely possible that cardboard under the beds would’ve helped. I like the Kodiak Yellow Mustard tip-I’ll give it a shot. I’ve only used the brown mustard type but I do LOVE that one for its pollinator attraction.

@davidvankainen6711 5 ай бұрын

@@WellGroundedGardens Oops Kodiac Brown. Yellow flowers. I'm not saying other varieties are bad, just annecdotal experience.

@lindalyc 6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much to explain it as I'm on search of how to set up fence for my garden as well. I like a lot of raspberry and blackberry so I wonder if I can use that "moat" to grow them and their canes can become Live Fence? One question, how deep you put in your vertical wood posts in ground? did you put in cement mix to fix them? Thanks again.

@WellGroundedGardens 6 ай бұрын

If you do use it for cane fruits, make sure to have a buried barrier for raspberries (at least 8” down) if you don’t want them to spread out into your main garden area. Our fence posts were set in holes about 2 feet deep, with concrete. 👍

@lindalyc 6 ай бұрын

I noticed that your fences were set up as double-fenced see @0.20. are they intended for so-called 3D fences for deer? what are you going to use the space between which looks like just a grass run area? I've had a hard time searching your tutorial on setting deer-resistant fences so if you already made a clip on this topic please send the link. Thanks.

@WellGroundedGardens 6 ай бұрын

Hi, they are! Our zoning limits us to a 48”-high fence and that wouldn’t keep out deer, but supposedly two fences, spaced four feet apart, does the trick because they’re afraid of getting trapped in between. My experience so far is that it’s working. The original idea was to use the “moat” in between as a dog run (for further deer deterrence) but my dogs hate it; so I think I’ll use it instead for some grain, compost materials, and pollinator crops-like buckwheat. I’ve mentioned it lightly in videos but haven’t done a full video with the details... maybe that’s the next one. :)