I recently cleared a 60' by 80' area on my property for a future vegetable garden. Most of the plot is bare soil with some mix of grass sod. I anxious to dive into some serious gardening in 2009, but need your input on any preparation I should be starting this fall. My equipment includes a JD 2305, JD 647 rear tiller, JD single bottom plow (x700 series 3pt) and an old stake harrow.
What is your advice? Should I try and plow this fall and leave it lay over the winter? Or, merely run over the ground with the 647 tiller a couple of times, then till again in the spring? I know there is pros and cons to plowing versus just tilling. Also, anyone ever use a cover crop of annual ryegrass in the fall to hold the soil from washing or blowing over the winter.
Thanks so much for any feedback.
What is your advice? Should I try and plow this fall and leave it lay over the winter? Or, merely run over the ground with the 647 tiller a couple of times, then till again in the spring? I know there is pros and cons to plowing versus just tilling. Also, anyone ever use a cover crop of annual ryegrass in the fall to hold the soil from washing or blowing over the winter.
Thanks so much for any feedback.