How To Use Winter Kill Cover Crops To Open Beds Early In Spring

Once your vegetable crops have come to an end, use cover crops as an effective way of adding organic matter and protecting soil against erosion and compaction. Aside from providing organic matter benefits, cover crops can also serve to suppress weeds while decreasing root-knot nematode pressure.

Grains like annual rye, oats and wheat build biomass while simultaneously improving soil infiltration. Legumes such as crimson clover have nodules that work symbiotically with healthy soil bacteria to fix nitrogen for use by future vegetable crops.

Weed Suppression

Cover crops are an invaluable way for vegetable gardeners looking to increase soil health. Not only do they add organic matter and aerate the soil, they reduce erosion and help ward off annual weeds – making cover crops one of the keystones of vegetable gardening success!

Winter Kill Cover Crops such as cereal rye or hairy vetch/buckwheat mixtures can provide effective weed suppression during the winter when planted at the proper time and harvested before frost hits, when mowed before frost sets in. Mowing these plants before frost sets in will create low-growing mulches which inhibit weed growth while providing overwinter food sources for beneficial insects.

Tilling cover crops into the soil triggers microorganisms to go into digestion mode and break down plant material quickly, taking only three or four weeks for decomposition to finish and allow you to plant vegetables afterwards. If you prefer not to till, using a tarp or weed whacker are alternatives, and short stemmed plants like Crimson Clover should be cut back before they go to seed; otherwise be sure to weed-whack or mow shorter plants such as Crimson Clover before going to seed. If doing tillage be sure weed-whacking or mow the shorter plants before going to seed and consider taking any measures such as trimming back or composting any foliage for removal/composting/composted before moving on.

Mulching

Cover crops can improve soil organic matter content, improve aeration and erosion reduction, suppress weeds and support beneficial insects. There are hundreds of varieties to choose from; it is key that you select one which grows quickly while providing all the benefits needed at this time of year.

Oats and their combinations with field peas are among the fastest-growing cover crops and provide great weed suppression even in cold spring conditions. A warm season cover crop such as buckwheat can also work effectively; however, any risks of frost must first have passed before planting it.

As your cover crop matures and decomposes, its biomass will create a living mulch suitable for no-till planting. Just be careful to not overmow or graze so it doesn’t become too thick when seeding time arrives – too thick layers of vegetation impede water and air movement and negatively affect soil microbe health.

Soil Improvement

Cover crops come in many varieties, each serving its own purpose depending on climate and soil type. When planning a home garden, experimenting with various combinations until finding one that fits best may be worth trying out.

Grains such as rye and oats produce biomass that breaks down over the winter and improves soil aeration by breaking up compaction, making them suitable for no-till systems. Legumes like peas and beans fix nitrogen themselves, providing additional nutrient benefits in both no-till and conventional cultivation systems.

Winter kill cover crops should be planted between late summer and early fall, in a well-prepared bed using a rotary seeder or scattering seeds with light raking for even coverage. When using either option, follow any recommended depth recommendations for optimal germination; otherwise scatter and lightly rake them in or use a hand-crank spreader to achieve uniform coverage of an area.

Nitrogen Fixing

Winter kill cover crops provide an invaluable source of nitrogen for vegetable gardens where organic matter accumulation tends to decrease nitrogen levels. Legumes such as crimson clover and Austrian field pea, along with hairy vetch are excellent nitrogen fixers which use their roots to draw it in from the air and store it as needed.

Early summer-seeded cover crops such as buckwheat and sudangrass provide several key benefits: suppressing weeds, adding biomass and improving soil structure while simultaneously decreasing root-knot nematode pressure. They should be terminated just prior to flowering in order to prevent seed set.

As late summer and fall-sown cover crops, consider sowing rye or oats (if not winter-hardy) due to their slow growth rate, helping protect soil over winter and early spring months. They’re easier than faster-growing small grains like wheat, spelt or triticale for incorporation before planting vegetables – or sow a mix of small grains with legumes for maximum soil protection, organic matter addition and weed suppression!