Row By Row Garden Show

Why grow cover crops? This is a topic many gardeners need help with. When growing any cover crop, even fall and winter cover crops is extremely important to know which you should be growing in your garden. Before planting a cover crop, identify which benefits or goals (weed suppression, fall grazing, taking up excess nutrients, reducing soil compaction, etc.) are most important. Since it is early September, it is time to start thinking about fall and winter cover crops; also, a good tip is to "broadcast" the seeds when planting your cover crops. Why Grow Cover Crops? Here are many reasons you should consider growing fall and winter cover crops (or just cover crops in general). Improving soil structure by increasing soil microbial activityWeed Suppression (by direct competition or allelopathy)Increases water filtration and reduces soil compactionIncreases organic matter and reduces soil erosion from wind and rain (crop residues/mulch)Activity against bacteria, fungi, insects, nematodes, and weedsNut