Cover plant for weed control
Hello Plant Village community,
I'm looking for something to plant as cover along the borders of my farm, specifically next to the shared irrigation ditch (called an acequia) I can't plant trees or bushes next to the acequia, since it has to be cleaned by the community, and the rules prohibit it. My farm is in Central Chile, very mild winter, no snow, and only a couple days a year below freezing. Looking for a plant that doesn't need a lot of watering, is self seeding or propagating, and good for producing compost when cut.
Any suggestions would be very welcome.
I'm looking for something to plant as cover along the borders of my farm, specifically next to the shared irrigation ditch (called an acequia) I can't plant trees or bushes next to the acequia, since it has to be cleaned by the community, and the rules prohibit it. My farm is in Central Chile, very mild winter, no snow, and only a couple days a year below freezing. Looking for a plant that doesn't need a lot of watering, is self seeding or propagating, and good for producing compost when cut.
Any suggestions would be very welcome.
Posted
by: Bud Theisen
(3 points)
Posted: September 27, 2013
Answers
Here's a presentation by a Chilean researcher, Bud. http://bit.ly/15yxgiw Work looks interesting: could be a great contact for you.
A potential U.S. contact: Marisol Berti at the University of North Dakota: http://bit.ly/19FbmMM Looks to be a Chilean native and an expert on perennial forages/biomass/cover crops.
A potential U.S. contact: Marisol Berti at the University of North Dakota: http://bit.ly/19FbmMM Looks to be a Chilean native and an expert on perennial forages/biomass/cover crops.
Posted
by: Peg Boyles
(4 points)
Posted: September 27, 2013
Lindsay McMenemy commented,
Thanks for the links Peg. Bud, if you contact either of these people, please stop by PlantVillage again and let us know what was suggested. That way other people with a similar question will also benefit from the shared knowledge. You could post the information as an answer to your own question. Thanks :-) over 10 years ago.
Thanks for the links Peg. Bud, if you contact either of these people, please stop by PlantVillage again and let us know what was suggested. That way other people with a similar question will also benefit from the shared knowledge. You could post the information as an answer to your own question. Thanks :-) over 10 years ago.
Velvet beans could be a good solution. Look up Mucuna pruriens. I grow them in Florida and they self-seed, plus create plenty of biomass. Bonus: the beans boost your testosterone and dopamine levels. The vines are also good animal fodder.
Singapore daisy is also quite nice.
Singapore daisy is also quite nice.
Posted
by: David Goodman
(69 points)
Posted: October 9, 2013
One possibility is to grow a biofumigant cover crop. There are a growing number of commercially available Brassicas and sorghums bred to produce naturally high levels of glucosinolates. The crop is incorporated around flowering time and myrosinase from the damaged cell tissues convert the glucosinolates to isothiocyanates, which have potent allelopathic activity. Some lines have been bred for use against nematodes or soilborne pathogens. Some lines are so effective that they will inhibit the germination of a subsequent crop for the subsequent month or two. Be sure to check toxicity to dogs and cattle as i've heard some new products are very concentrated.
Posted
by: Kim
(1 point)
Posted: November 6, 2013
Bud Theisen commented,
Thank you, Kim. I'll check, but I've never seen anything like that available in our market. over 10 years ago.
Thank you, Kim. I'll check, but I've never seen anything like that available in our market. over 10 years ago.
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