Cover Crops: The Hub-Bub

I don't know about you, but the vagueness of the term cover crop just confused me more than absolutely necessary. As did green manure. But I don't see things changing on the re-definition or re-naming front.

What I do know is that these plantings are valuable to the soil on so many different levels. So, we'll just need to work with what we have.

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For the most accurate and accessible definitions, I turned to the experts. In this case, Johnny's Selected Seeds.

A cover crop is a "crop grown to cover the soil and prevent erosion."

A green manure "replenishes organic matter. Nutrients are released in the topsoil as the green manure decomposes."

A smother crop "is used in new ground or in weed-infested soil to out compete the weeds."

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For heavy, poorly-drained soil - try soybeans, sunflowers or white clover.

For compacted soil - try buckwheat, clovers, alfalfa or any clover.

Weedy areas can be conquered with red clover, soybeans, sunflowers, buckwheat or hairy vetch.

If your soil lacks nitrogen - try legumes, chickling vetch, winter rye, hairy vetch.

Oats are a general great green manure.

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Cover crops by season (when to sow . . . ):

• Spring - oats, spring wheat, chickling vetch, red clover, sweet clover, ryegrass
• Spring/Summer - hairy vetch, red clover, sweet clover, summer alfalfa, buckwheat, soybeans, sunflowers
• Late summer - crimson clover, purple tansy, ryegrass
• Fall - red clover, ryegrass, winter rye

I am testing out two crops this year - buckwheat and red clover . . . and am starting small in those experiments (less heartbreak; less frustration). For many of these crops, incorporating them back into the soil is a big component for success. I need to be able to do that with a simple hoe. Fingers crossed.

Phew. A LOT of ground to cover - so-to-speak. Hope this - at the very least - peaks your interest.

Suppliers of cover crops:
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Johnny's Selected Seeds