Hi All-
This is my First Post
I have recently started working with my dad on his new farming ventures. The property is a 15 acre lot in south jersey (zone 6B) with 4-5 acres of field and 10 acres of mixed hardwood and conifers. Our focus this spring will be soil development, particularly a 3/4 acre lot. This lot was run through the ringer this past year (tree and stump removal and a whole lot of tractor driving) and we are looking to rebuild.
We are working toward a no-till operation. My plan was to develop a nice polyculture of cover crops on the lot (radishes, broad leafs, legumes, etc). Some seeds with be planted using an earthway seeder and some will be broadcasted. Following the seeding, I had planned on mulching with a nice layer of semi broken down shredded leaves and then a layer of straw to help the buckwheat and all get a head start over the natural grasses/weeds.
BUT- My question is, will residual herbicide on straw prevent my broad leaf cover crops from germinating and taking hold? Does anyone have any experience with this? From what I've read, I'll be pretty hard pressed to find straw that is not treated with herbicide before the grain is harvested. I'm not concerned about the herbicide except for its effects on the covercrops.
Let me know what you think y'all!