Kes Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 We are in the northwest and have had a warm spring and some occassional rain, we are dry but not in a drought. Strawberries are just ready and no grey mold at all. We planted cover crops early and have had a very poor result - one crop is about 90 % weeds. Going to have to redo them. Anyone else having problems and any ideas as to why ours are poor for the second year in a row ? Germination rate seems to be the problem - is it the seed? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 You don't say what type of crop your trying to grow but............ Did you dig down to a few seeds to see if they germinated. Did you establish a good seed bed. Did you over roll it. Did you drill to deep. Have you used enough NPK. Did you spray herbiside at the wrong time. ? slug pellets, have you put them down. The list goes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted June 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Charlie, Answers are kale and quinoa mix No havent checked germination Yes - good seed bed No rolling lght drilling used no muck herbicide was fine as the weeds confirm no slug pellets but never seen slug activity on the crop. Anything obviously wrong? Flea beetle protected seed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Kes Presumably both crops have failed. My guess would be poor germination which could have been caused by a poor seed sample but more likely to be something to do with your tillage. Soil type will dictate but I always like to roll after drilling (using a 3 tonne) to pinch it in and preserve soil moisture. Also ensure the seed is not tilled to deep as this will affect/stop germination. I always walk the crop 10/14 days after drilling to check seeds for germination. Also I don't know about you but it has been cold here, especially at night, until recently and soil temperature has not been on our side so this together with the above wont have helped. Fortunately your not to late to get some more in and as the weather will be a little kinder now your crop will catch up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul223 Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 ours went in first week end of may, took 3 weeks to come through and are now about 2 inch tall, we need more rain the ground is just so dry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny tim Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 what crop is it ? we ahve planted maaize this year and its up but weedy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 what crop is it ? we ahve planted maaize this year and its up but weedy See his post, Kale and quinoa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nats Posted June 12, 2011 Report Share Posted June 12, 2011 Kale and quinoa is one of the trickiest of cover crops to get right. Dont drill too early wait until soil temps warm up. Always roll afterwards. What pre emergence herbicide did you use? Even though seed is insecticide treated you may still need to apply insecticides to control flea beetles. We have treated twice this season already. Better luck second time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted June 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2011 Thanks all for the advice - will be re-doing them and hope for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted June 28, 2011 Report Share Posted June 28, 2011 I have some second year chickory that is between 6 and 7 feet tall at present. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted June 29, 2011 Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 I have some 3 week old chicory that is 6-7 mm tall at present, where I can find it. plot looks like a plouged field, mainly because it is a bit of ploughed field ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted June 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2011 One cover crop of about 2 acres is being redone - nothing but Fat Hen and Pheasants EyE. One strip is looking very good and the other 1 acre crop is about 40 % - really needs redoing. Suggestion is that the weeds have prevented the cover crop seed germinating or have out-competed the seedlings. I think its down to germination rate. How much cover crop (area) would you plant for 1000 birds and 5 drives in a days shooting chaps??? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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