Use of Ryegrass in Amended Soils
- 1). Churn soil and break up clumps with a rototiller. Till the soil to a depth of at least three inches, deeper (12 inches) if possible.
- 2). Rake the garden plot level. Reserve some soil for topping the seeds at the end of the bed. Remove any debris so the bed is flat and ready for planting.
- 3). Broadcast the ryegrass seed across the bed in September so the seed forms a thick layer on top of the soil. You can just sow it by hand--even coverage is not critical.
- 4). Cover the seed lightly with the reserved soil. Ryegrass will germinate without a soil topping, but this layer of earth keeps the seed from blowing away and keeps moisture in.
- 5). Dampen the soil. Germination for ryegrass is fast--within a couple of weeks you will have an observable covering on the soil bed.
- 6). Rototill the ryegrass into the soil in early spring. Work the plants in well and let the machine chop them up. The ryegrass will compost into the soil, adding nutrition and texture to the earth.
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