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Indiana

Almost have all pine trees and roots cleared. I know that a soil test is next. I have been told that after pine trees It can be hard to grow some plants in their place. Should I let this ground rest another year with cover crops on it or will it be ok to go ahead and grow pumpkins on it? In a previous post I had some ground with 10 year old pines and grass on it that was at one time an old hog lot. If cover crops are the way to go this year what types of cover crops should I start the year out with and end the year with? Example: buckwheat followed by radish pea mix and ending year with cereal rye? May be some mustard mixed in there some where? I am not really sure just looking for some experienced advice. Thanks

3/22/2014 5:36:33 PM

Waterville, Ohio

I doubt you will have an issue. I grow within 20 ft of a line of white pines (excellent wind blocks.) Every year when it sheds needles, the majority of my patch is blanketed with them. There may be a chance of slightly acidic pH, but nothing that early season amending couldn't cure.
Take your soil samples, get them tested and start gearing up for the season..if it ever warms up that is.

3/22/2014 9:44:57 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

If I were going to give a plot a year rest with cover crops, I would start with a mix of radish and mustard, to get deep root penetration and the biofumigation to kill off soil diseases to start. Then I would finish the year with a mix of non-winter hardy high-nitro alfalfa and rye, both inoculated with myco. Hardy alfalfa would be hard to kill the next spring, and the rye will keep the myco going after the alfalfa dies. I like using mixes of cover crops to increase the diversity in the soil.

3/22/2014 10:13:40 PM

BC, Canada

Cucubit, the only thing I know for sure that is not recommended to be grown around pines are the Ribes family; currants, gooseberries, Josta berry. There is a fungal infection that cycles between the pines, mostly 5 needle pines, the white pines, and the Ribes. It is harder on the pines and for many years in timber ares there was a Ribes eradication program.
If you pulled the stumps at least your ground will be broken up.

3/23/2014 1:00:15 PM