New Winter Cover Crop Were trying a new cover crop in our garden beds this year. Cover crops are usually various grains or clover that are planted in garden beds in between vegetable crops. They add organic matter, help to improve the quality of the soil, and prevent nutrients from leaching out of the soil. We grow those that are easy to remove before they go to seed, and we dont need to till or plow them under. Our usual winter cover crop is crimson clover, but this year weve planted spring oats. In our climate the oats will die back when the temps drop below about 15 degrees, but the dead plants will naturally mulch and protect the soil over the winter. Come early spring, all well need to do is rake the remains away and add them to our compost pile. The garden beds will be ready to plant with early spring crops. We planted the oats in empty beds (or soon to be empty - such as between the squash trellises) in early September. You can still see the flowers of alyssum plants that bloomed all summer, helping to feed the beneficial insects in our garden.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 01:30:51 +0000
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