Pardon my Ignorance

[PaulInMi]

I planted a cover crop of annual rye last year in my garden. I assumed, that if it was an annual it wouldnt come back this year. It came back BIG time, even after turning it under and tilling. Am I missing something or is annual rye more like a perinial?

Thanks

Paul

 

[rmorgan]

Paul--

The distinction between annuals and perennials, of course, is whether the actual selfsame plant survives the winter. Many annuals will grow like, well, weeds if they are permitted to go to seed before they are tilled under (the seeds then get a nice dirt blanket for the winter) or simply allowed to go to seed; either way, they will grow healthy BIG time, as you say, the next season, especially where there has been a relatively mild winter. You may have created a Roundup-worthy monster, but at a minimum you might want to till under before it has a chance to reseed. Here's a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/lolmul/value_and_use.html>websuite</A> with some additional information.