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Garden Gate:  Daikon Radish/Mary Jane's book  |
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Lauram
True Blue Farmgirl
74 Posts
Laura
Moneta
VA
USA
74 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 03 2006 : 05:14:24 AM
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I got Mary Jane's new book for Christmas and I love it! In the book, Mary Jane talks about planting daikon radish as a cover crop. I would like to try and plant that as a cover crop on my farm, and I'm excited about it because my soil is this horrible red clay and the roots go to like three feet and it should really help break things up a bit. Does anyone else plant this as a cover crop? BTW, I DID do a search for daikon radish on the search engine, so please go easy on me if there is another thread on this and I just couldn't find it. 
Thanks!
Laura |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2006 : 06:57:20 AM
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Hi Laura!
I have not used daikon radish as a cover crop. But, I have used rye and other grasses. They grow well in our climate. I think that just about anything you do to help the soil will be a positive. Even doing the "lasagna" method of composting will do some good for your spring plantings. (Lasagna method is just piling your compost items right in your plot where you'll be planting and layering them as time passes. This is different than keeping a compost pile that you keep separate and then dig out what you need to add to the plot. I do both and have good results.)
Happy New Year!
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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Lauram
True Blue Farmgirl
74 Posts
Laura
Moneta
VA
USA
74 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2006 : 07:28:27 AM
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That's funny that you mentioned the lasagna method, as I got the book "Lasagna Gardening" for Christmas and also, "Carrots Love Tomatoes," which is about companion planting. I'm interested in companion planting especially because of our problem with Japanese Beetles. I'm going to invest in some milky spore to help combat that problem too. I don't want to use any chemicals.
Thanks! |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2006 : 08:40:43 AM
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Let's sound like valley girls..."Oh my gosh, like, I have that book, too. Like I love "Carrots Love Tomatoes"
You will get lots of help from that book. I eventually got tired of looking things up and tired of my brain not remembering who likes to live with who so I finally made a chart of everything I grow and cross referenced it with everything it will grow with and voila! I have a nifty little tool! I don't know if we grow the same things, but I'd be glad to share it with you.
Blessings!
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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Lauram
True Blue Farmgirl
74 Posts
Laura
Moneta
VA
USA
74 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2006 : 09:07:24 AM
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That would be great to have a copy of your chart! Is that something you can Email to me? Do you have the book, "Roses Love Garlic?" I don't, but I would love to get it. I also love the book, "Frugal Gardener."
Speaking of valley girls, I grew up in California and actually did talk like that at once. LOL!!! In fact, when I was a press secretary in Washington I was giving a quote to the Associated Press and accidentially said something that sounded like Moon Unit Zappa. LOL!!! I called the reporter back and begged him to clean it up for me. |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2006 : 09:57:50 AM
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Lasagna Gardening is a great book! I have tried the methods and they really do work. I read about the daikon radish cover crop too and am interested in anyone's comments.
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2006 : 5:04:17 PM
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UGH!! As I was writing the valley girl thing I was thinking that I may be putting my foot in my mouth. It doesn't sound like I offended you....WHEW! What a funny story about the reporter....did he clean it up? Perhaps he didn't and this is why you're a farmer now! HA HA HA
I have the "Frugal Gardener" and like it, too. I have another one that I think is titled "The Lazy Gardener" I'll have to look up the roses and garlic one.
Happy Gardening!
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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Lauram
True Blue Farmgirl
74 Posts
Laura
Moneta
VA
USA
74 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2006 : 5:13:12 PM
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You like, totally did not offend this Valley Girl. LOL!!!! Yes, he did clean it up for me. The Valley Girl comes out in me every now and then, which highly amuses my mother.
Glad to hear that others are fond of the lasagna method too - - I can't wait to try it. Regarding composting, I am having my butcher block cut with a hole in it, and underneath will be a special trash can for compost. I will be able to chop and drop.
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Garden Gate: Daikon Radish/Mary Jane's book |
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Daikon Radish/Mary Jane's book
