2026 Gardens!

[CloverKnollFarms]

Going to crimp 1/8 acre of rye to use as a mulch mat to plant my pumpkins through

 

[DJ54]

Going to crimp 1/8 acre of rye to use as a mulch mat to plant my pumpkins through

It works pretty good if sown thick enough. I tried it on a small scale a couple years ago for Cukes and Squash to see it can be done with small equipment. Very little investment as far as equipment, some scrap steel and some time to make a push down bar to knock it down before rolling.

If you would, keep pics updated on how well it works. Our tractor club needs a way to keep weeds down in our pumpkin patch we grow for a Fall Harvest Days. I've shown a couple guys these pictures, but something on a larger scale would be great.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

It works pretty good if sown thick enough. I tried it on a small scale a couple years ago for Cukes and Squash to see it can be done with small equipment. Very little investment as far as equipment, some scrap steel and some time to make a push down bar to knock it down before rolling.

If you would, keep pics updated on how well it works. Our tractor club needs a way to keep weeds down in our pumpkin patch we grow for a Fall Harvest Days. I've shown a couple guys these pictures, but something on a larger scale would be great.

I planted it quite thick, then the deer mowed it all winter, which made it thicker. It's heading out now, so I'm guessing my cultipacker will end it easily. It's worth a shot for natural weed suppression and water retention.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Well, our .5" of rain forecast is now 3" and still coming down. I guess I'll order more seed and start over.

 

[DJ54]

I planted it quite thick, then the deer mowed it all winter, which made it thicker. It's heading out now, so I'm guessing my cultipacker will end it easily. It's worth a shot for natural weed suppression and water retention.

They say to roll/crimp it in the milk stage. Some of mine was/wasn't. I had a pretty good stand the following year from some apparent ripe seeds that got shattered out.

 

[DJ54]

Marked out 4 rows and stirred in some starter fertilizer with the David Bradley and planted 4 short rows of Silver King sweet corn, 3 short rows of Roma II green beans, and 1 short row of Mammoth Melting snow peas before rain coming in tonight. Got enough rain Sunday morning that germinated the Sorghum. looks like it's going to be thick like I want.