Cool weather germination of cover crops?

[Joel_BC]

Nearly every year I plant a green-manure crop in the fall, then in the folliwing spring I get a couple of cuttings off it (and leave these in-place) - finally tilling all of it in before planting the warm-weather vegetables. This year, due to rains that kept me from tilling the big-garden plot, I couldn't sow the seeds at the ideal time. Once I was able to till and rake the soil, and sow the seed (fall rye and winter peas), the overnight temps got down near freezing and the day temps have been only moderate to coolish.

Everything germinated pretty well, with the winter peas showing little white sprouts within four or five days, and the fall rye showing green shoots within about 10 days. BUT... I'm worried that a hard frost will hit any night now, and kill the young growth.

That hasn't happened yet, but now I'm thinking: maybe fall rye and winter peas were not the best choice, given the situation. Maybe something else would have germinated more quickly, and possibly might be hardier in its early stages. Any ideas?

 

[~gd]

Nearly every year I plant a green-manure crop in the fall, then in the folliwing spring I get a couple of cuttings off it (and leave these in-place) - finally tilling all of it in before planting the warm-weather vegetables. This year, due to rains that kept me from tilling the big-garden plot, I couldn't sow the seeds at the ideal time. Once I was able to till and rake the soil, and sow the seed (fall rye and winter peas), the overnight temps got down near freezing and the day temps have been only moderate to coolish.

Everything germinated pretty well, with the winter peas showing little white sprouts within four or five days, and the fall rye showing green shoots within about 10 days. BUT... I'm worried that a hard frost will hit any night now, and kill the young growth.

That hasn't happened yet, but now I'm thinking: maybe fall rye and winter peas were not the best choice, given the situation. Maybe something else would have germinated more quickly, and possibly might be hardier in its early stages. Any ideas?

Since it is to late to do anything other then worry why not sit back and and enjoy it? I think you might be surprized at how hardy your cover crops actually are. if the rye is the grain [not ryegrass] it will be busy establishing roots same with your winter peas. You need good roots to burst out of the ground at the hint of spring. Only if you get a freeze that penetrates the soil in the root zone will your cover crop be thinned [most plant too heavy anyways]~gd

 

[Joel_BC]

Thanks, ~gd.

 

[Beekissed]

Winter wheat always does well for us and also white dutch clover, surprisingly enough. We plant it on the garden rows after last harvest and tilling and it sprouts and grows quickly, lies dormant but still green and very much alive and well even in frost and snow.

 

[Joel_BC]

Thanks, Bee.