Build Organic Matter in Soil Using Green Manure Cover Crops
Create a Healthier Garden Ecosystem Using Cover Crops
Home gardens can benefit by using green cover crop manure to increase garden soil fertility and structure. This will have a direct impact on next year's harvest and bounty.
This is important in home gardens that produce vegetables and other food sources. Fall and winter months are the perfect time to put in place this organic method in gardens.
What is green cover crop manure?
In typical home gardens, green cover crop manure is not used as often as it should be. So much value and benefit yields to soil health it's time to look further into this.
Cover crops are plants that are sown in the fall and winter to improve soil health. These are plants that are not used, in and of themselves, yet provide great benefits to the garden.
These cover crops are sometimes known as "green manure" because, like regular manure, they enrich the soil. But instead of using animal manure, you're using plants! Once grown, these cover crops are cut down and mixed back into the soil, where they break down further to improve soil quality.
Why Use Cover Crops as Green Manure?
Cover crops benefit the garden's soil quality in several different ways. This directly affects next year's health, growth, and harvest of plants.
They add nutrients to the soil. Several types are 'nitrogen fixers' in that they absorb nitrogen from the air and transfer it to the soil. This is an invaluable fertilizer to garden plants yet without putting chemicals into the soil.
These cover crops also help prevent erosion of soil, especially in the fall and winter months when little is actively growing in the garden. It improves soil texture by helping to break up hard, compacted soils. The improved soil will be better at retaining nutrients and water while encouraging stronger plant growth.
Green cover crops also help choke out weeds by filling empty spaces and making it harder for weeds to get established. This means, less weeding next year.
Best Options for cover crops in the home garden
There are many different cover crops to choose from. Each has its advantages, so choose what is best for your garden's needs.
Clover
A great option for its nitrogen-fixing properties and low maintenance ease. It is quickly growing and great for beginners.
Red clover is perfect for cooler climates.
White clover is beneficial for compacted soil types and is hardy.
Crimson clover attracts pollinators and produces red flowers.
Hairy Vetch
This plant is officially in the legume species and known for its nitrogen-fixing uses. Grows in cool weather and is ideal for fall planting.
Winter Rye
This cover crop excels at breaking up compacted, hard soil types and providing erosion control. Gardeners who face challenging hills in their growing area could benefit from these traits.
It is a tough grass that can survive winter's cold. It's best to plan in late fall, to cut down and turn into soil in the spring.
Buckwheat
These cover crops' strong points are weed control and fast growth. Its flowers attract pollinators as well.
It should plant in early spring or suumer and takes only 4–6 to be ready to turned into the soil.
If gardeners rotate crops at all, this makes a great solution between gaps in gardening schedules.
Field Peas
These are hardy plants that grow well in cooler weather and for adding nitrogen to the soil. Plant in the fall months and allow them to over winter. In spring they are ready to turn over into garden soil.
For best results, try to rotate both your vegetable and cover crops every year to different areas of the garden.
Planting green cover crops in home gardens
After selecting and obtaining the cover crop seed you intend to use, rake the top level of the soil you intend to plant. This helps the seed to take root.
Scatter the seeds over the soil and lightly cover them with a thin layer of dirt.
Keep the soil evenly moist until the seeds germinate and start growing. Once they're established, they won't need much watering.
Turning cover crops into green manure
In spring, when your cover crop has grown to a good size, cut it down, and allow it to dry for a few days, then turn it into the soil.
This process allows the plants to break down and release nutrients back into the soil.
If you've never used cover crops in your home garden, this is the perfect time to try. Consider sharing this with fellow gardeners as well.
By Val Garner - all rights reserved.
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About the Creator
Val Garner
Writer and coffee addict in the Pacific Northwest. Follow me over on Newsbreak. You can sign up there as well to earn income with your writing, good to diversify and expand your earnings.
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