Living Mulches

Living mulches Cover crops are usually killed or incorporated before establishing the vegetable crop. Recently, however, there has been interest in living mulch systems where the cover crop and vegetable grow together in the field for all or part of the growing season in order to extend weed control and other cover crop benefits such as decreased traffic compaction into the growing period of the crop.

Living mulches can compete for moisture and nutrients, so they are not recommended for low-growing, shallow-rooted, or drought-susceptible vegetable crops. Because they provide habitat for beneficial insects, living mulches sometimes decrease insect-pest populations. Population of other pests may increase however. In a New York study,use of a living mulch reduced population levels of cabbage looper, imported cabbage worm, aphid, and flea beetles, but slug populations increased.

Living mulches are not appropriate for all situations. It is very importatnt for characteristics of a living mulch to complement those of the vegetable crop. A cover crop should germinate and grow in the shade and be low growing relative to the main crop. For example, a vining cover crop should be used only with tall vegetable crops (such as sweet corn). Bush type cover crops such as red clover should be used on shorter vegetables such as cabbage, peppers and determinate tomatoes.

Cover crops should not be susceptible to the same diseases as the main crop , and should not interfere with harvest. To establish a living mulch: Make sure the field is free of weeds before planting the main crop. Let the main crop grow alone for 4 to 5 weeks so it can compete successfully with the living mulch crop. Typically this point will be reached after the last cultivation.

Establish the mulch by drilling rather than broadcasting since drilling the seed gives a better stand.

Rotate living mulch types.

Popularity: 76% [?]