Building Healthier Soil with Cover Crops

Cover crops planted between growing seasons can rebuild soil structure, add organic matter, and cut down on erosion and weed pressure -- here's how to get started.

Why bother with a cover crop

Bare soil between seasons is vulnerable: it erodes in heavy rain, loses moisture to wind, and gives weeds a head start. A cover crop keeps living roots in the ground, which feeds soil biology and holds everything together until your next cash crop goes in.

Choosing a cover crop

• Legumes (clover, vetch, field peas) fix nitrogen in the soil, reducing how much fertilizer you'll need next season.
• Grasses and cereals (rye, oats) build organic matter quickly and are excellent at suppressing weeds.
• Brassicas (tillage radish, mustard) send down deep taproots that break up compacted soil.

Many growers mix two or three of these together to get the benefits of each.

Timing and termination

Plant as soon as your main crop comes out, ideally with enough of the season left for real root growth before frost. Terminate the cover crop a few weeks before your next planting, either by mowing, crimping, or tilling it in, so it has time to break down.

Start small

If you've never used cover crops before, trial a single field or bed first. Watch how the soil handles the next season before committing your whole operation to a new rotation.