Have a few areas that were mulched invasives (and yeah, I anticipate a war with them coming back) where I am looking to have a spring-summer cover crop and then try a plot this fall. Goals would be, build it (nutrients and subsurface health-activity), protect it (moisture loss), increase thatch and organics and not a have it get worse in nature...and plant a fall plot in (likely clover, rye, radish).
It is Appalachian red clay, 5.5ish pH(but will be limed w HiCal), low CEC, low rainfall in summer, higher ground, good sun with only a couple shady spots, and will be doing this without a disc/tiller/plow (dont own them and not in the cards rn). I think this is all mining spoils cover and does have trees (Cherry, Honey Locust, Sycamore) randomly throughout-to which i planned to remove most of . Most of the woody debris from the mulching will be removed. Not sure on its termination - depends on the regen (BH, AO, MFR)- but am not against spraying or mowing. ~3 ac total. It is bare right now. And of course.....I am not looking for
If it was fall time- Winter Rye comes to mind, and if the soil was softer I would be thinking buckwheat. Havent had much like with broadcasting oats and not sure if there is a shorts wearing version of winter rye or how i could get ample seed cover/depth with one of the regen style mixes like Vitalize.... was pondering oats during the spring rains (when it is muddy, and if you know red clay)....bare soil baking, let alone where there is next to nothing for organics just seems so darn bad.
Any suggestions? Open to ideas and approaches....
It is Appalachian red clay, 5.5ish pH(but will be limed w HiCal), low CEC, low rainfall in summer, higher ground, good sun with only a couple shady spots, and will be doing this without a disc/tiller/plow (dont own them and not in the cards rn). I think this is all mining spoils cover and does have trees (Cherry, Honey Locust, Sycamore) randomly throughout-to which i planned to remove most of . Most of the woody debris from the mulching will be removed. Not sure on its termination - depends on the regen (BH, AO, MFR)- but am not against spraying or mowing. ~3 ac total. It is bare right now. And of course.....I am not looking for
If it was fall time- Winter Rye comes to mind, and if the soil was softer I would be thinking buckwheat. Havent had much like with broadcasting oats and not sure if there is a shorts wearing version of winter rye or how i could get ample seed cover/depth with one of the regen style mixes like Vitalize.... was pondering oats during the spring rains (when it is muddy, and if you know red clay)....bare soil baking, let alone where there is next to nothing for organics just seems so darn bad.
Any suggestions? Open to ideas and approaches....