[Arid_gardener] green crop question

[Chris Trask]

     Sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor) is a good cover crop here in the southwest.  It is one of the better choices for a host plant for VAM soil fungi and bacteria, which are essential for good soil health and plant growth, and it is well-adapted to high temperatures and drought conditions:

     http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/forages/publications/grasses/sudan.htm

I use this occasionally as a pre-crop for growing native annuals.  I'll spade in a small quantity of bonemeal, bloodmeal, and cow manure (plus a pinch each of triple phosphate, soil sulphur, and iron chelate) into the soil, then the seeds are sown about 3/4" deep so as to keep the adventitious (lateral) roots below the surface.  Simply clip the stems (culms) when they're about 18"-24" tall until you're ready to plant your veggie garden, then trim them just above the surface and spade the roots into the soil.  I put all of the trimmings into the composter so that there is little lost in the way of soil nutrients.

     I should point out that Sudangrass is not a native grass, but it is very useful when the soil VAM and bacteria have been depleted, which is a common problem with desert soils.  For long-term soil health I grow native bunch grasses such as Sideoats Gramma, Tanglehead, Purple Threeawn, Alkalai Sacaton, etc.

-----Original Message-----
>From: Ellen Stobaugh <lnrosy2000 at yahoo.com>
>Sent: Sep 3, 2007 5:00 PM
>To: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
>Subject: [Arid_gardener] green crop question
>
>Hi to all,
>
>I hope everyone had a great weekend! My husband and I are looking for something to grow that we can dig in to help fertilize the veggie garden. Any suggestions? We grew something awhile back and have been thinking it was buckwheat but can't remember for sure. Thanks for all your help.
>
>Ellen
>
>       
>---------------------------------
>Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles.
>Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.


Chris

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