IN THE FIELD
From page 27
natural toxins that inhibit or
slow the growth of other
nearby plants.
Some cover crops, such as
canola (Brassica napus) may
be incorporated into soil as a
biofumigant for control of
pathogens.
It should be emphasised that
the cover crops are dug in a
month before sowing any new
vegetable, to ensure that they
have broken down and will
not burn the following crop.
There a few crops that can be
grown in Gauteng in winter.
K Serradella provides fodder
for livestock and is used as a
cover crop for nitrogen fixing.
It is planted in March and
April. It is a pretty, feathery
leaved pasture legume.
Because it is deeply rooted, it
is able to extract and bring
deep sourced minerals and
trace elements to the surface.
Just before the seed pods set,
be sure to fold the foliage
over onto the beds and then
chop the roots to allow it to
prevent reseeding. The
above ground vegetation can
be left on the surface as
mulch or can be turned
under, adding organic matter,
but also boosting nitrogen.
Ensure that you cut the root
system once the first flowers
appear as you do not want it
to re-seed in place. Another
trait of vetch is that it lowers
the ratio of carbon to
nitrogen in mixes with cereal
Field peas
break down.
be fed to cattle and sheep.
K Field pea is closely related When the first flowers appear,
Continued on page 31
to the garden pea. It is a
cut the root system to
climbing annual legume with
weak, viny, and relatively
succulent stems. The tender
young shoots can be used in
salads ~ just pick off the tips.
The pods can be harvested
and shelled, to be used for
either human or livestock
food. The rest of the plant can
be left on the surface as
mulch or chopped into the
soil for nitrogen fixing.
K Hairy vetch can be
planted in March and April. It
produces a great deal of plant
matter. The seed pods are
poisonous to humans, but can Hairy vetch is a bee-friendly cover crop when in flower
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