From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Federal Way, WA

Hi guys, every year I hear about cover crops...what are the benefits of a cover crop? I've heard mustard helps with disease and certain species increase the soil's N content once they're tilled in, but any other reason that makes it an absolute must? Any strategy on when to plant it and when to cut it during the off-season? Thanks!

10/15/2014 3:52:48 PM

Colorado

I think it keeps the soil cycle going. Loosens the soil because of roots.Erosion prevention.Nutrients when tilled in.Can keep mychor. population going.

10/15/2014 6:20:00 PM

East Jordan, MI

increase soil health, decrease erosion, add organic matter, improve soil structure, add nutrients, reduce weed growth...

10/15/2014 10:37:31 PM

Germany

Last but not least, it keeps the grower happy to see something growing on that piece of precious soil even through the dark season.

10/16/2014 2:53:43 AM

Stanwood, Washington

They pretty much covered it but I will throw my 2 cents in.

1. It helps to keep your soil from leaching out nutrients in the rainy winter.

2. Once you till it in in the spring it will add organic matter and nitrogen.

3. If you add in a compost or manure in the fall, The cover crop roots helps to break it down over the winter and just in general it will help improve your soil structure.

4. Mycho needs to have roots in the dirt to colonize on. Growing a cover crop allows some of that mycho to stay alive in the soil over the winter.

5. Along the lines of what Jorg said, It is really encouraging to see something thick lush and green growing through those bleak months and it gives you confidence that your soil is rich and healthy.

10/17/2014 12:01:28 PM

Stanwood, Washington

For the second part of your question you should plant it as soon as possible after the pumpkin is gone so that it has a chance to get established before it gets really cold. Last year I just let it grow all winter and didn't cut it at all. I tilled it in in march, did a soil test, added amendments and then planted a second cover crop to hold everything in. I tilled the second cover crop sequentially as the plant grew staying about 5 feet out in front of it. It was a pain to do it that way but I really think its beneficial for a couple of reasons.

1. It can take until July before the patch is full of vines. so if you till the whole thing in early April the extremities of your patch are left bare and exposed for several months and any mycho and other microbial activity in the soil is severely hampered. by the time the plant reaches those areas.

2. The Pumpkin roots really like loose soil and tilling just before the roots enter the zone is much better than having the soil settle and compact for 3 months before the roots get there.

10/17/2014 12:14:26 PM

President - GPC

For my patch it is green almost all the winter especially if we dont get a real stint of frigid tempZ. This draws in the rabbits that eat and poop all winter long. Geese come next to eat and poop as well... Over winter Barren Soil does not build anything

10/17/2014 12:18:23 PM

Hot West Tennessee

http://covercropsolutions.com/

10/18/2014 7:43:02 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

All of the above

10/18/2014 8:02:55 PM

Federal Way, WA

Awesome info, guys, I really appreciate every reply. I had no idea it was so beneficial!

10/21/2014 2:28:41 AM

Omaha, Ne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN-NDf50CNc

here's another example of how it help before planting

12/4/2014 8:03:48 PM

President - GPC

On Dagobah it provides a habitat for geese and rabbitZ to forage all winter long. So I get quite a bit of rabbit and goose poop already distributed prior to Spring Till and replant.

12/5/2014 9:34:37 AM