Grazing rye and cardboard, overwinter

[Raybon]

Hi, I took advice and softened soil/killed off grass on overgrown allotment using cardboard, smothered some with grow bags so able to use the undug space at the same time, both working really well.
Am now considering how to overwinter.......
I gather that a layer of cardboard with mulch of compost/manure on top will rot down very well over the winter months and that you can plant through the cardboard in Spring.

Now considering the idea of growing Hungarian grazing rye, not letting it seed before covering with cardboard and overwintering, hopefully avoiding having to dig it in as it should die off naturally, fertilizing the soil at the same time. Much cheaper than bags of compost too....I will never have enough home-made!
Has anyone ever done this?
Can anyone see any drawbacks to this idea?

[Two_Sheds]

Yes, and rye is a b**tard to kill. It's as tough as couch grass.

I use green manures all year round ~ there are much easier ones to manage than rye.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...est_70929.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ery_72945.html

[alldigging]

https://www.greenmanure.co.uk/seeds/...-manure-seeds/


"It may be fairly hard to dig in after winter especially on heavy clay soils (good exercise though!)"

[Raybon]

The idea is that the cardboard will kill/soften the rye grass. Works very well on couch grass....the Polish lady on plot next to me uses it all the time, without the cardboard. Might give it a go, will get into training in case it doesn't work!

[Alison]

I've used grazing rye loads of times and found it very good. Sow in the autumn and then pull it up and chop in the spring. I find that it pulls up easily in my soil (slightly silty but not too heavy or loose) and helps with the structure of the soil. Never used card at the same time though so can't comment on that. I like the fact it's tough as it stands well over winter and at least it doesn't have the roots of couch grass

[Raybon]

Very pleased to read your reply, as I've already bought the seed! Aforementioned lady always lets a wee patch go to seed, which she then collects......never buys a bag of compost, and her fruit and veg are gorgeous!
Thanks.

[Kristen]

Dunno who anyone else uses for Green Manure seeds, but I've found Moles Seeds the cheapest - unless you know differently?

They don't charge carriage for normal seeds, but they do for the more bulky Peas, Beans and Green Manures.

Moles Seeds - Conventional vegetables: Green Manure

[Two_Sheds]

grazing rye ... I like the fact it's tough as it stands well over winter

This "winter" (not more than 3 gentle frosts, no snow or ice at all) all my GMs survived intact: limnanthes, phacelia, mustard. In fact I gave the phacelia several cuts before pulling it up last week to plant my peas

[Alison]

This "winter" (not more than 3 gentle frosts, no snow or ice at all) all my GMs survived intact: limnanthes, phacelia, mustard. In fact I gave the phacelia several cuts before pulling it up last week to plant my peas

Mine too but not the case the past couple of years