Crimson clover adds nitrogen and organic matter to the soil once dug in come spring. pic Amanda Jarrett
Cover Crops, Green Manures: No Bare Beds, Benefits of Cover Crops, How to Use Cover Crops,
When to Sow and Harvest Cover Crops, Common Cover Crops
When to Sow and Harvest Cover Crops, Common Cover Crops
A fallow field is flooded compromising soil health.
This field sits next to the fallow field above. There is no flooding or erosion due to the cover crop.
|
Cover Crops, Green Manures: No Bare Beds
Cover crops are not grown to produce food but to build and fortify soils. They are also used to protect bare veggie beds throughout the winter. Farmers use them to save their soils from erosion, to improve drainage and to retain soil nutrients. If fields are left bare water collects resulting in flooding, erosion and loss of nutrients. Sow the seeds of cover crops once the veggie beds have been harvested and before the cold weather arrives in September. They will grow through fall into winter only to be dug into the soil as green manure come spring. Think of them as composting in situ. |
Benefits of Cover crops
|
|
Plants suitable for Cover Crops
The round growths on this bean root contain nitrogen.
There are many types of plants used for cover crops. Plants suitable for covering bare soil during the winter don’t mind the cool temperatures, pelting rain and even snow.
Their seeds grow quickly and easily crowding out winter weeds. Clover and other legumes, convert nitrogen from the air into a soluble form that plants are able to absorb. Other crops gather phosphorous and other essential nutrients. When tilled into the soil, their stored nutrients are released back into the soil.
Their seeds grow quickly and easily crowding out winter weeds. Clover and other legumes, convert nitrogen from the air into a soluble form that plants are able to absorb. Other crops gather phosphorous and other essential nutrients. When tilled into the soil, their stored nutrients are released back into the soil.
How to use cover crops
Use cover crops:
- after harvesting crops during the growing season
- in the fall when all crops are harvested
- when establishing a new bed
- to protect the soil in winter sow seeds in late summer
- to improve poor soil that has little organic matter
- when establishing a new bed to build soil, increase soil nutrients, bulk and organic matter
- to make compacted, dense soils, including clay, more workable
When to sow and harvest cover crops
- It is always best to follow the instructions on seed packages for the ideal time as it depends on the cover crop. Most cover crops for winter beds should be sown in late summer into early fall.
- In early spring, before the cover crop flowers and especially before it sets seed, mow them down with your lawn mower, or cut them back with a line trimmer or hedge shears.
- Dig, fork, cultivate or till the remnants into to the soil and water. Don’t bother to rake the garden smooth as the soil’s unevenness help the decomposition.
- Allow the soil to rest for at least two weeks to decompose, fork it over again if needed, rake level, then plant with your desired crops.
Common cover crops
Grasses: annual ryegrass, oats, barley, winter rye
- enriches and builds soil with organic matter
- dense and extensive roots break up clay and compacted soils
- improves soil tilth
- erosion control
- rapid growth suppresses weeds
- plant with clover and other legumes in fall
- overwinters well up north, even under snow cover
- plow or dig under before going to seed to prevent them from reseeding
- legumes fixes nitrogen within the soil from the air
- inoculate seeds with Rhizobia bacteria to increase nitrogen production
- sow with annual rye, oats or other grasses for good coverage
- plant in late summer
- cut back in late May
- grow quickly providing quick cover reducing erosion and weeds
- flowers are beneficial to pollinating insects
- till them in before going to seed to prevent them from spreading
- brassicas and especially oilseed radish have long taproots that ‘drill’ into soil reducing compaction and aerating soils
Check out:
|
|
Copyright 2017 The Garden Website.com, Amanda's Garden Consulting Company - All Rights Reserved