Rye Update

The inside circle on the drive has changed a great deal.. Ken just mowed the rye he had planted late last season.         Last year during the spring Ken dug up the perennial flowers and I divided them and removed as many weeds as possible         Then he ran chickens through the area to scratch       Next he ran pigs through to dig it up     …

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Coming Through – the Rye

  Ken often plants rye in the fall.  It will start growing later in the year than other green manures, and grow up again in spring.        It provides soil cover to lessen erosion, root mass and plant matter to boost organic matter. It tempers soil temperature to promote microbial life in the soil – all good.         It is always fun to see the rye coming up when other …

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Green Manures – Rye

Ken works to keep soil covered.  He often says, “Naked soil is dying soil.”  He means that either mulch or green manures will maintain moderate soil temperatures to promote microbial life, prevent erosion, add nutrients, – so many things!  Ken often mulches.  He also likes to plant green manures.     What are green manures?  It is a crop intended to promote soil health rather than a crop to be harvested.  Green manures are often …

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