Can you spring plant cover crop, then crimp?

[@VesnaVK]

We're in Southern Wisconsin (5a). We have raised 6 rows that are 30' x 3' with 3' walkways between. Can we plant rye and then crimp it (maybe by stomping a piece of wood attached to a cord) and then plant vegetables in it after 10 days or so? Or is it better to mow? Would the lawnmower compact the ground too much?

[@hardcoreplayafromthehimala4888]

Slavic origin?

[@Nightowl5454]

Crimping is much better because it tends to make the plants not want to grow again. Some species are better than others for crimping and some are nearly immune to crimping. DON'T mow, it actually encourages new growth and then you're stuck with trying to kill off all the new growth so it doesn't compete with your garden crops. If you really wanted to mow or had no other choice to mow because crimping isn't effective on the species you choose or it's too early to crimp before you want to put plants in the ground then you mow/weed wack it right to the ground, then smother the cover crop with a thick coating of leaves or natural mulch. Many municipalities and some power companies give away free mulch from trees and branches they've cut down. The best rye for crimping is the Yankee variety. I'd strongly recommend Green cover seed. Here's a link for them.👍😁smartmix.greencoverseed.com