Frost intolerant covers

farmerfred86 · Apr 9, 2021

Im considering a winter cover of frost intolerant species. Likely to be buckwheat, phacelia, linseed etc

The idea is to provide cover into winter but leave the field clear for spring drilling without the need for destruction. I find it essential on heavy clays to get the land to dry out ready for spring drilling.
I know this has some downsides but hope it could provide the right level of cover for the right amount of time. Any thoughts?

Kidds · Apr 9, 2021

Interesting idea, weed control in the cover crop was my first question.

farmerfred86 · Apr 9, 2021

Kidds said:
Interesting idea, weed control in the cover crop was my first question.

If its thick enough it will likely suppress most weeds but weeds and volunteers that survive to spring will obviously need roundup. In a perfect world we wouldn't require anything. Spraying off in March isn't a problem, spraying off in December is (can be).

steveR · Apr 9, 2021

farmerfred86 said:
Im considering a winter cover of frost intolerant species. Likely to be buckwheat, phacelia, linseed etc

The idea is to provide cover into winter but leave the field clear for spring drilling without the need for destruction. I find it essential on heavy clays to get the land to dry out ready for spring drilling.
I know this has some downsides but hope it could provide the right level of cover for the right amount of time. Any thoughts?

Well, I have Phacelia planted last Autumn and is now 600mm high, after -8C nights. Went a bit blue and then shrugged off the cold... Linseed less so, but still got a reasonable population, probs spring variety,

steveR · Apr 9, 2021

farmerfred86 said:
If its thick enough it will likely suppress most weeds but weeds and volunteers that survive to spring will obviously need roundup. In a perfect world we wouldn't require anything. Spraying off in March isn't a problem, spraying off in December is (can be).

Crimper? Not that they seem to be the panacea that was hoped for. Easier to whip through with a boom...

farmerfred86 · Apr 9, 2021

steveR said:
Crimper? Not that they seem to be the panacea that was hoped for. Easier to whip through with a boom...

not in december! If its left any later its detrimental to the yield of the following crop. On heavy land...

steveR · Apr 9, 2021

farmerfred86 said:
not in december! If its left any later its detrimental to the yield of the following crop. On heavy land...

They seem best suited for summertime when the plants are in full flush?

Brisel · May 3, 2021

Buckwheat is killed by a ground frost. Mine was gone in October. Phacelia is supposed to be frost intolerant but I have had to spray it off every year, along with the linseed & volunteers from the previous crops. A sharp frost gives it a good kicking, but doesn't seem to finish the job.

steveR · May 3, 2021

Brisel said:
Buckwheat is killed by a ground frost. Mine was gone in October. Phacelia is supposed to be frost intolerant but I have had to spray it off every year, along with the linseed & volunteers from the previous crops. A sharp frost gives it a good kicking, but doesn't seem to finish the job.

Got down to -7C and the Phacelia turned blue... However, much to my surprise, it is now nearly 2ft high in places in a B&B mix.... Now we have had some rain, it'll romp away. Wondering what to do next Spring already, will it shed enough seed to give a "crop" in 22/23 with just some suppemental seed DD in next Spring?

Frost intolerant covers

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