Are you growing cover crops? If you aren’t, this fall is the perfect time to start. Cover crops are temporary crops with incredible benefits that improve your soil conditions for the months to come. The most common benefits include improved soil tilth, increased nitrogen, weed suppression, and better water drainage. Grow a single crop for targeted benefits, or a mix for overall improvement. Your garden is sure to thank you!
Legumes
Legumes are the powerhouse of the cover crops. Some of the most popular legume cover crops include clover, peas, vetch, beans, and lentils. This category of cover crops deserves all the attention it gets due to their ability to transfer nitrogen from the air into the soil via beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are naturally present in the soil, but are often added by mixing inoculant with your seeds to give them a jump-start on colonization. In addition to nitrogen fixation, legumes also offer dense growth which helps to crowd out competitive weeds, reduce soil erosion, and increase water drainage via the root channels.
How to Use Inoculant
Inoculant is usually available in a powder or liquid. Because these are microorganisms, a little inoculant goes a long way. Simply mix according to the instructions on your packaging; typically this is teaspoon to tablespoon quantities per several pounds of seed. Spray a little water before or after mixing with your seeds. This will help the inoculant to stick to the seed coat. Once mixed, plant immediately. Because inoculant is made of living cultures, it is important to mind the expiration date when purchasing or using it. Most packages are good for several months.
Brassicas
While brassica cover crops can’t transfer nutrients from the air to the soil like legumes can, they do “drill” for nutrients via their deep roots. Over time, nutrients sink deeper and deeper into the soil, often moving beyond the root zone of shallow-rooted plants. However, brassicas are able to drive their roots deep and move leached nutrients back into the upper root zone. Additionally, brassicas improve your soil conditions by combating common soil pathogens and disease via natural compounds like glucosinolates that break down into isothiocyanates when tissue is chopped and incorporated into soil — this acts as a natural fumigant against soil-borne pathogens, nematodes, and some weed seeds. To capture these benefits and more, try growing some radishes, turnips, and mustards as cover crops this fall season.
Grains & Grasses
Cereal grains and grasses help build your soil by producing biomass and organic matter. This can be especially beneficial in regions with clay and sand-dominant soils that have a hard time retaining or delivering water to your plants. Organic matter acts as the delivery vehicle for anything from water to nutrients and minerals. Increasing the organic matter in your soil is key to resolving some of the most frustrating issues facing farmers and gardeners. Not only will grain and grass cover crops help improve your growing conditions, but they will also help reduce soil erosion as they are a green manure that creates a buffer between the soil and eroding wind or runoff. Help your fields stand up to the harsh winter and early spring conditions by planning now for a fall cover crop. Wheat, winter rye, triticale, barley, and others have proven to be valuable cover crops to extend the longevity of your soil.
How to Grow Cover Crops
One of the unique characteristics of cover crops is that they are only planted for the benefits they produce as they grow. They are not typically grown for a vegetable, seed, or flower harvest. Instead, they are grown for about 40-80 days and then should be mowed, cut, or allowed to winter-kill depending on the seeds and time of planting. This allows you to simply broadcast-sow instead of spacing for their mature size requirements. Essentially, cover crops are planted with the intention of terminating them prematurely and turning the biomass they produce back into the soil. Some crops and mixes also work well for no-till cover crop growing practices.
Get Started Today With An All-Purpose Cover Crop Mix
To enjoy all the benefits cover crops have to offer, consider growing a complete mix. True Leaf Market offers a Garden Cover Crop Mix designed for growers of all experience levels and gardens of any size. Simply broadcast, grow, and terminate. Your spring and summer gardens will thank you!
About the Author:
Ashleigh Smith is the Managing Editor at True Leaf Market with a bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. True Leaf Market is a nationally certified organic, non-GMO seed and horticultural company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The True Leaf Market staff specializes in supplying a large selection of conventional, heirloom, and organic seeds to home gardeners everywhere. Learn more about our seeds, supplies, and other growing ideas: www.trueleafmarket.com.
All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
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