How can planting oats and rye in the Fall help improve the overall health of your garden? “Green manure” is a type of cover crop and is the backbone of any sustainable garden, big or small. This late-season growth will add nutrients and organic matter to your garden, which will both protect and improve the soil. The organic matter will improve the water retention and aeration, while cover crops can also suppress weeds and help control garden pests.
Plant your green manure crop during the fall and winter when your plot is not in use. This will prepare your soil for the Spring and prevent it from erosion and compaction during the harsh winter months. After the cover crop flowers, kill it. This may sound counterintuitive, but by folding the plants back into the ground you are adding nutrients to the soil, much like adding fertilizer or manure to a plot of land before you plant your vegetables. In general, cover crops need very little care, although mowing keeps large crops manageable. The most common sources of green manure includes: oats, rye, alfalfa, buckwheat and mustard.
Did you know that you can save money and improve your soil by planting green manure instead of buying expensive and
toxic fertilizers?
Green manure will fertilize and improve the health of your soil for you. According to the National Sustainable
Agriculture Information Service, many studies have shown that a legume cover crop can replace the nitrogen portion from your
fertilizer. Never mind spending the money and time buying and applying toxic fertilizers to your garden or crop—grow
organically and let the green manure do it for you!
Did you know that cover crops reduce toxic run-off?
Cover crops reduce the amount of run-off by increasing infiltration. This gives water more time to soak into the ground
and decreases the amount of run-off that can contaminate our water systems and your health.
Did you know that green manure reduces soil erosion in your garden?
Too much soil erosion can be very damaging to your crop or garden. It will not only damage your ecosystem, but there
will be a significantly smaller amount of soil available to enrich your plants. Cover crops hold the topsoil in place;
thereby decreasing erosion and excess nutrient loss.
