It’s also important to consider the residue that will be left by the crop come springtime and whether the cover crop will survive winter. Overwintered cover crops with heavy residue like winter rye or low residue such as winter peas are great when planning to plant late-spring crops next season. These options work well for those with limited tillage equipment, primarily gardeners and no-till farmers, but often have to be mowed before spring planting. Winter-killed crops like oats are a good choice for providing cover over the winter while allowing for early spring planting. These plants will not have to be mowed, as they die back in the cold, but may need to be incorporated into the soil as they decompose depending on the amount of residue they leave behind.
Before planting any cover crop, be sure that you have the equipment and the labor to eliminate it at the appropriate time. Letting cover crop biomass get larger than your equipment can handle can make termination and incorporation difficult. Also, be aware that if certain types of cover crops are allowed to go to seed, they will become a long-term weed problem. While cover crops can be a magical tool in promoting overall garden health, it’s crucial to do your research before planting.
If cover cropping is not a viable option for your space or equipment, leaving decaying plants and vegetation in the soil is better than leaving it bare. If you’ve ever visited a farm or garden in wintertime and seen dead plants rooted defiantly in the soil and dusted in snow, you’ve seen a grower prioritizing soil cover despite maybe not being able to plant cover crops due to equipment or timing. Regardless of your capacity, keep your soil covered and it will be well-rested for next season.
Happy growing!
