How exactly to dig in winter grazing rye?

**Hazel at the Hill** · 02-04-2011, 01:16 PM

I sow it in rough rows about 6" apart, then when it is about 6" high, I dig it in (i.e. put the spade between two rows, dig up a 'clod' and invert it on top of itself, so there is no green showing.)

That sounds tricky, but if you give each 'clod' a spin it falls naturally upsidedown - the roots from the rye hold it all together. That also sounds tricky, but it works!

I sow in rows to make it easier to insert the spade - if you've sown an even patch, you'll have to cut through with the spade each time, but it'll be worth persevering with a spade rather than a fork.

If you don't bury all the green tops of the rye properly, it just grows back, and is a right pain!

**Croila** · 02-04-2011, 01:48 PM

Thank you Hazel, that's ever so helpful. In fact ... I think it was you who told me about this rye grass to start with back last year!

I did sow an even patch, but to be honest, the bed it's in is so wee (about 3 foot by 10 foot), it shouldn't be too much hard work to get it all done.

The only thing is, it's awfully cold and windy here right now so I'm putting off going out into the garden to actually DO it!

But thank you again for the advice

**Alison** · 03-04-2011, 12:56 PM

I scatter mine all over the bed and then just fork it all in until it's all buried. Quite quick and easy to do.

**Two_Sheds** · 03-04-2011, 07:32 PM

Rye is a bogger to dig in. I used it once, lol.

Now I use things with shallower roots, like limnanthes, phacelia & alfalfa

**Croila** · 04-04-2011, 07:29 AM

I didn't find it that easy to dig in to be honest. As the patch of ground is not very big, I ended up just ripping it all out by hand and then used a spade to try and chop up and dig in. But I had an awful job covering it all up for some reason, and even now, there's a lot of it still lying chopped up on the surface.

I wonder if I should make sure it's all buried, or maybe it doesn't matter?

**Two_Sheds** · 04-04-2011, 07:34 AM

Bury it all, or it'll keep growing.

The usual advice with green manures is to hoe them off, leave them to wilt for a week, then dig them in

**Croila** · 04-04-2011, 07:51 AM

Thank you ... I was actually going to leave it lying on the top there but as I got stuck in, I think I went all wrong!

**ladylottie** · 04-04-2011, 08:26 AM

Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post

Rye is a bogger to dig in. I used it once, lol.

Now I use things with shallower roots, like limnanthes, phacelia & alfalfa

I've been thinking about using green manures (especially Rye) for some time but never got round to it, mainly because I've suspected it might be hard to dig it in. You have decided me against it!

May have a go with alfafa instead.

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How exactly to dig in winter grazing rye?

How exactly to dig in winter grazing rye?

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