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Re: Request for some practical tips.



The easy answer is Round Up but you will need to garden for three years
before the produce can be thought of as organic.

Don't rototill.  You will be fighting weeds for a long time.  What I did
when I needed to start with a weedy patch was plant winter rye in the fall
and white clover in the spring.  I wasn't in a hurry to get started with
annuals.  The perennials were being planted first.

The vegetables were dug-bed planted after two years of this.  All the
winter rye cuttings, tree prunings, and big weeds which were hand pulled
were composted and used in the dug beds.  The rye, clover rotation stopped
most of the weeds and grasses in their tracks.

---Jay

On Mon, 7 Sep 1998 DRush35007@aol.com wrote:

> I have just moved into a house sitting on 1/2 acre in Oklahoma City.  I am
> taking a class called Master Gardener at the local County Extension.  This
> year is my learning year for crop production.  When I think I am ready, I will
> look at buying or leasing some land out of town, and hopefully set up a CSA.
> Any way I hope it is ok to ask for a little practical advice on this board.
> If not please let me know.  I am planning to start with a section of the
> garden about 4,000 square feet.   The soil is almost pure sand, and it is
> currently covered with bermuda grass.  At the Extension they are telling me to
> clear it with Round Up, ready for fortifying and planting in the spring.  I am
> assuming round up is toxic, and not desireable (I want to learn organic way).
> I suspect a cover crop, or sheet mulch may be better, but have no experience,
> so would love to hear some alternative suggestions. Along those lines, I am
> not sure if I should get a rototiller or not.  I dont know what is a feasible
> area to think in terms of spading.  Again any thougts would be helpfull.
> Finally, any suggestions for a fall/winter vegetable crop.  It is currently
> very hot, and very dry here, but the first frost may come late October.
> 
> Thanks from hot and sunny Oklahoma City.  If any one on the list is located in
> my neighborhood, please let me know, I am anxious to network.
> 
> Dave
> 


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