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Phoenix, AZ

I tilled my cover crop under about mid-December. It was mostly perennial rye. What I have done in the last week is taken any noticeable organic matter out of the vicinity of my planting area by about 2 ft X 2 ft. However, I check this area of the soil by smell and it still has a decaying smell to it. it is not extreme but it is noticable when I put my nose up to the soil. There are worms chomping away but not in any sigificant numbers at this point.

I am very aware that freshly decaying matter will stunt growth because of what it puts out in the form of "volatile organic acids" bad for plants. It needs time to decay first.

So the question: if I am planting within a week from now, could I be having problems? I hear of others tilling under their cover crops shortly before planting. So, am I worrying too much?

Oh BTW for those of you wanting to use broccoli as a cover crop, don't. This stuff does not decay! It is amazing. I will dig up parts of a stump buried weeks earlier and you can see roots and green growth coming from it.

Ben

1/11/2006 9:23:08 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

How deep are your turning this cover crop in? If it is to deep it will get no air and not decompose. What is you soil temperature? Tilling in your cover crop and planting seeds is where the problem happens. If you transplant it should not be to big of an issue.

1/12/2006 9:02:57 AM

Phoenix, AZ

Turned it under about 9 inches max. My soil temperature within a 3 ft radius of the planting area has been averaging 69 degrees for the whole time. I have clear plastic down as well as a heating cable.

Yes, I will be transplanting.

Thank you for the reply.

1/12/2006 10:11:32 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Your clear plastic may be your problem...you are smothering the soil.

1/12/2006 11:54:09 AM

Montoursville, PA

Ditto Shannon's response.

1/12/2006 2:27:46 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Cool.

I will take it off.

1/12/2006 9:01:23 PM