winter rye

[ijon]

anyone ever mowed their winter rye. Then planted their vegetable garden in cut out rows. Will this work?

 

[Chuck]

anyone ever mowed their winter rye. Then planted their vegetable garden in cut out rows. Will this work?

As I understand your question you will mow the entire area and then till where the planting row will be? The only drawbacks I can see is when it gets warm and the rye dies. If you expect warm weather soon it should be OK because the tilled under rye will not have a chance to come back. Just make sure that the tilled rye has enough time to decompose somewhat and not rob you new plantings of nitrogen. It would be great if you could update your profile as to location and hardiness zone.
Those who planted green manure cover crops here have already tilled.

 

[ijon]

I hand dug the rows. I am in zone 5 I think. Somewhere I read you could this and use the remainder as walk ways.

 

[Chuck]

I hand dug the rows. I am in zone 5 I think. Somewhere I read you could this and use the remainder as walk ways.

You can use them as walkways but the rye will die when it gets warm and then you will have weeds unless you do something about them. This should be about the correct time in your zone to shovel it under. Many gardeners do what you are doing. I hope you didn't sow the rye seeds to thick. If you did you are in for a bunch of hard work.

 

[ijon]

No their not to thick.