I have been growing a cover crop mix in my garden plots since last September. It consists of winter rye, crimson clover, austrian winter peas, oats, and wheat (mainly "deer plot mix"). I am getting ready to start growing white potatoes in mid-February this year. I want to smother the area where I am going to grow the potatoes with homemade compost , wait a while for decomposition, and then start planting the potatoes using the "Ruth Stout", hay mulch, on-top-of-the-ground method. I have read that winter rye can put out some weed killing chemicals when chopped up that can hurt seed germination if the rye isn't completely decomposed. Is this true? If so will it be ok to start planting potatoes on top of the ground on top of compost with dry hay mulch after about 3 days after killing the winter rye?

Mow the rye, use somewhere else or in the compost pile, put down compost and mulch ASAP, and start the decomposition process. Meanwhile place your seed potatoes in a warm bright room-not full sun, and allow them to sprout watch for water loss. When ready to plant, pull back the mulch, set the sprouted seeds, and cover with mulch. It is mandatory to keep the mulch thick as the vines grow to prevent sunlight from reaching potatoes that will be eaten.