Mustards (Brassica spp.) launch biochemicals that suppress germinating weeds quickly when mowed or tilled in. (They will additionally inhibit small-seeded vegetable crops, like lettuce, from germinating.)
Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) germinates and grows shortly. If planted as a residing mulch, don’t permit it to go to seed; mow or until it earlier than it seeds.
Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is tailored to cooler areas and may be planted in both fall or spring. It may be difficult to handle as a result of it’s so vigorous and might develop tall as a residing mulch. In small backyard areas, mow it usually to maintain it from taking up.
Annual wheat (Triticum aestivum) and winter cereal rye (Secale cereale) are each good weed-suppressing cowl crops and residing mulches. Wheat doesn’t produce as a lot biomass as cereal rye, however it may be a great cowl crop for smaller backyard areas. Rye might also have an allelopathic impact. Nonetheless, managing rye as a residing mulch may be difficult as a result of it’s so vigorous.
Notes
14. Matt Liebman and Adam S. Davis, “Managing Weeds in Natural Farming Methods: An Ecological Method,” in Natural Farming: The Ecological System, vol. 54, Agronomy Monographs, ed. Charles Francis (Madison: American Society of Agronomy, 2009): 173–96, https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr54.c8.
15. Elizabeth Dyck, Matt Liebman, and M. S. Erich, “Crop-Weed Interference as Influenced by a Legumi- nous or Artificial Fertilizer Nitrogen Supply: II. Rotation Experiments with Crimson Clover, Area Corn, and Lambsquarters,” Agriculture, Ecosystems & Setting 56, no. 2 (1995): 109–20, https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8809(95)00644 -3.
16. Yvonne E. Lawley, John R. Teasdale, and Ray R. Weil, “The Mechanism for Weed Suppression by a Forage Radish Cowl Crop,” Agronomy Journal 104, no. 2 (2012): 205–14, https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2011.0128.
17. Marianne Sarrantonio and Eric R. Gallandt, “The Position of Cowl Crops in North American Cropping Methods,” Journal of Crop Manufacturing 8 (2003): 53–74, https://doi.org/10.1300/J144v08n01_04.
18. Nancy G. Creamer, Mark A. Bennett, and Benjamin R. Stinner, “Analysis of Cowl Crop Mixtures for Use in Vegetable Manufacturing Methods,” HortScience 32, no. 5 (1997): 866–70, https://doi.org/10.21273 /HORTSCI.32.5.866.
19. T. Ohno et al., “Phytotoxic Results of Crimson Clover Amended Soils on Wild Mustard Seedling Progress,” Agriculture, Ecosystems & Setting 78, no. 2 (2000): 187–92, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8809(99)00120-6.
20. C. L. Mohler et al., “Discount in Weed Seedling Emergence by Pathogens Following the Incorporation of Inexperienced Crop Residue,” Weed Analysis 52, no. 5 (2012): 467–77, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3180.2012.00940.x.
21. John R. Teasdale, “Contribution of Cowl Crops to Weed Administration in Sustainable Agricultural Methods,” Journal of Manufacturing Agriculture 9, no. 4 (1996): 475–79, https://doi.org/10.2134/jpa1996.0475.
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Optimize Your Soil with Cowl Cropping
Develop Wholesome Crops: Strengthening Your Farm or Backyard’s Immune System