[Hobnails]

Hi,
I have a patch of ground still growing grazing rye that I've not got around to turning in.
It's about 15 inches high now and seems to be growing fast and becoming woody.
As I don't need that piece of ground  this year I wondered if I could cut the growth for compost
and let it grow on. Would it do that?
Grateful for your advice.
Hobnails.

[New shoot]

I'm sure if you cut the top growth off it would reshoot, but I would worry about how established the roots were getting.  You may find you have created a nightmare when you do come to dig it over.

Personally I would dig it up and compost the whole lot 

[Hobnails]

Many thanks New Shoot!
It's my first year growing grazing rye- does a great job of covering the ground over winter
and keeping the weeds out, but I don't want to run the risk of creating problems for the future.
I'll have to change my priorities and get it turned in.
Best Wishes

[Salmo]

To make it easier to dig in you can cut it and compost the top growth. Dig properly with a spade and turn the green stumps carefully into the bottom of the trench.

Left alone it will grow 5 ft high and produce seedheads. Cut down and it will rapidly regrow.

You can keep on cutting for compost. When it wants to produce seedheads it will give up.

The root system is as valuable for digging in as the green growth and will help your soil structure.

If you start to panic glyphosate easily kills it.

[goodtogrow]

If you're not going to use that bit of ground this season you could just cover it in weed control fabric and leave it at that.

I completely clear areas of pasture each year using the heavy 100grm/m2 stuff, but you've got to leave it down all year.

Tom

[Hobnails]

Many thanks Salmo and Tom.
Just the advice I needed - much obliged
Hobnails