Looking for a cover crop
General Central New Hampshire
I'm trolling for suggestions for a cover crop I can use to fill in around the big, ugly, plastic clean-out openings to my septic system. Once it's established, it must withstand heavy foot (and chicken) traffic, thrive in rocky, infertile soil (not much of it, either), and look great.
I live in central New Hampshire, where winters can be harsh, with below-zero temps and heavy snow cover. Thanks for your help!
I live in central New Hampshire, where winters can be harsh, with below-zero temps and heavy snow cover. Thanks for your help!
Posted
by: Peg Boyles
(4 points)
Posted: April 26, 2013
Answers
I would recommend clover. It comes in several different varieties--from the white dwarf, which is shorter, to the crimson clover. The seed is often available at local grower's supply stores, and is relatively inexpensive.
Clover germinates readily, is a hardy perennial and will withstand foot-traffic, mowing, and can even be driven over. What's more, clover is a great pollinator food source.
This is a great resource from the PennState extension all about various cover crops: http://extension.psu.edu/plants/crops...
Clover germinates readily, is a hardy perennial and will withstand foot-traffic, mowing, and can even be driven over. What's more, clover is a great pollinator food source.
This is a great resource from the PennState extension all about various cover crops: http://extension.psu.edu/plants/crops...
Red Clover
Posted
by: Samantha Burns
(15 points)
Posted: April 26, 2013
Peg Boyles commented,
Another good idea! Thanks. Since I have a fairly large area, I could seed the whole thing to white clover, with thyme commingled in the areas furthest from the driveway. almost 11 years ago.
Another good idea! Thanks. Since I have a fairly large area, I could seed the whole thing to white clover, with thyme commingled in the areas furthest from the driveway. almost 11 years ago.
Peg Boyles commented,
Another good idea! Thanks. Since I have a fairly large area, I could seed the whole thing to white clover, with thyme commingled in the areas furthest from the driveway.
Another benefit to both creeping thyme and white clover: They make great bee forage. So glad I put this question out! almost 11 years ago.
Another good idea! Thanks. Since I have a fairly large area, I could seed the whole thing to white clover, with thyme commingled in the areas furthest from the driveway.
Another benefit to both creeping thyme and white clover: They make great bee forage. So glad I put this question out! almost 11 years ago.
Susan League, UF/IFAS Sumter Program Assistant commented,
One of the problems when an animal is not free-ranged is that you limit them to a small area; there could be a plant there they would not normally eat but will because they have no other choice. So with your free ranging, they'll find what they want to eat which will include some of the clover. Here's a link to a great UF powerpoint that you might find interesting about chickens http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/AG/Chick... almost 11 years ago.
One of the problems when an animal is not free-ranged is that you limit them to a small area; there could be a plant there they would not normally eat but will because they have no other choice. So with your free ranging, they'll find what they want to eat which will include some of the clover. Here's a link to a great UF powerpoint that you might find interesting about chickens http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/AG/Chick... almost 11 years ago.
What about creeping thyme? It's hardy in NH, fragrant, thrives in poor soils and is unlikely to be munched upon by your chickens. It might take a little to fill in, but may serve you well.
Posted
by: Maggie Mae Farm
(1 point)
Posted: April 26, 2013
I would suggest joe pie weed or Iron weed they have a wonderful bloom and thrive in area that poor and damp. They are tough, because my kids don't kill them.
Posted
by: David Lawson
(5 points)
Posted: April 27, 2013
Peg Boyles commented,
Another great suggestion, David, although I think these plants are too large for the area. I really need a creeping groundcover. We have a lot of native joe pye and boneset in my area, though no ironweed, which looks beautiful. I may order some seed to plant out into some of the wilder areas of my garden. Thanks! almost 11 years ago.
Another great suggestion, David, although I think these plants are too large for the area. I really need a creeping groundcover. We have a lot of native joe pye and boneset in my area, though no ironweed, which looks beautiful. I may order some seed to plant out into some of the wilder areas of my garden. Thanks! almost 11 years ago.
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