Billy's 2024 grow

[billy]

late to a blog again. started 18 TN90 LC 5 weeks ago "middle tray", and 64 rusticas 3 weeks ago "left and right".
growing in promix+compost and organic fertilizer. getting about 100 watts in a shiny box.



planting no-till in this rye. i kinda did all termination methods to it, i sprayed waited 2 days roller crimp and now tarp for about a week, which it wasnt quiet old enough to crimp and 1 week of tarp isnt enough, but all 3 combined should make it give up.



planting in about a week

 

[billy]

1 week after planting into the terminated rye.
in the process of spreading compost on top
i sprayed everything with water, neem oil, soap, ghost pepper. plus diatomaceous earth, (rained off now) but slugs ate like 12 of the rusticas in the off frame part. started another 24 just in case
anyone got good anti slug methods?

 

[deluxestogie]

For slugs, apply iron phosphate slug bait. It's non-toxic (unless you're a slug or snail), safe for kids and pets and wildlife. One brand name product is Sluggo. You sprinkle the pellets about. It slows the slugs down in a day or two, but takes about 5 days to kill them.

Bob

 

[ProZachJ]

1 week after planting into the terminated rye.
in the process of spreading compost on top

I love your method here. I keep trying to grow rye or triticale to do similar but can't seem to get a good enough stand.

 

[billy]

I love your method here. I keep trying to grow rye or triticale to do similar but can't seem to get a good enough stand.

might be a different type of cover crop you'd need since im multiple growing zones north. for me when corn or tobacco ect. is harvested i can immediately plant rye and overwinter it until its time to plant the summer crop again. for you maybe shift schedules around and do a warm season cover crop when temps are safe like buckwheat 2 months then tobacco. it grows fast and easy to knockdown flat and kill when seeds start forming. or if you want a grass type crop for mulch thats water tolerant (since it seems like you get lots of rain) try Japanese millet. but it would be harder to terminate and get flat. might have to spray wait a few days, some kind of roller over it and tarp a bit.

just guessing what might work. but it takes a bit of work to plan a crop/cover crop system that works with particular temps and timing and termination methods.