Rye, Winter (Secale cereal) Seeds, Organic
$3.95 – $9.00
Family: Grass (Poaceae)
Hardy to Zone 5, otherwise grown as a summer annual
Rye is the oldest domesticated crop, with archaeological evidence dating back to the Paleolithic. It was probably first used for making beer, then for making bread. Ideally, the soil should be tilled or turned and the seed scattered over the surface, raked in, tamped, and kept moist until germination. One or two fall rains will suffice in getting the stand started. Unlike most politicians, rye does well in any soil, rich or poor. It even does well on clay, and improves the soil by means of added biomass (like growing compost in-situ). Provides excellent winter forage for chickens and ruminants. Will keep the garden covered and protected through the winter. In the spring, mow down the grass, then turn the soil or till again, thereby incorporating the carbon. This is the stuff good gardens are made of.
A packet contains 500 seeds and covers 10 square feet.
Certified Organically Grown
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Question
Sarah (verified owner) –
Suggestions for a cover crop under a tall canopy tree in 5b?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Sarah,
There really are a lot of options open to you. One of the best is crimson clover. Red clover is more permanent and makes a very cushy lawn. You could put in Bugle (Ajuga reptans) for a permanent spreading groundcover with bright flowers in season and a good medicinal plant. Here’s a link to our blog on the subject https://blog.strictlymedicinalseeds.com/covercropplantingguide/
Richo
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Question
Tim Child –
I don’t see it listed and im terrible with math but how much seed would i need for 1,000 square feet?
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Richo Cech –
we’re out of winter rye in bulk and recommend planting ryegrass instead. the sowing rates are on the monograph.
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Question
Tim Child –
A few years ago i read somewhere that winter rye contains a chemical that gets released when the winter rye is decomposing and any plant that absorbs this chemical dies. Is that the case with this winter rye or am i thinking of something else?
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Richo Cech –
winter rye is widely used as a covercrop. the allelopathic activity not only deters weeds during the growth cycle but also as the residue breaks down. it is used that way for weed suppression. i’ve never seen it be a problem with intentional crops, which are planted after the biomass degrades
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Question
Tim –
What fall planted cover crop would you recommend for weed elimination or reduction?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Red Clover is always best for forcing out weeds if you live in a zone where its warm enough to get it going in the fall. Otherwise Crimson Clover is good for forcing out weeds and grows very quickly. r
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Michael Riley Monaghan Jr –
Hi, Richo
What cover crop is best to grow in South Seattle area?
Mike
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Richo Cech –
Oats and Peas, because they do well in your area and because this is the closest thing to growing compost in place. r
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Question
Tim –
What cover crops would you recommend for clay soil that is burnout and dead as far as fertility goes?
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Admin Richo Cech –
at this time of year probably buckwheat, tilled down in fall to plant oats and peas. r
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Tim –
I intend to start growing cover crops on half of the garden in the fall after everything dies off then plant more cover crops next year. Would oats and peas still be recommended to plant in fall after everything dies off?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Yes, oats and peas is the classic “grow your compost in place” fall-planted cover crop.
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Denise –
What cover crop is best to grow in eastern Central Florida for soil retention
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Richo Cech –
red clover
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