Winter cover crop
We have already sown a fall cover crop in the vegetable garden. This cover crop (specifically alfalfa) was sown in vacant spaces after summer-harvested vegetables, and we will plow it under in the fall because alfalfa will not survive the winter. Now it's time to sow a cover crop after later-harvested vegetables - in our case, after harvesting potatoes.
How does a fall cover crop differ from a winter one?
For a fall cover crop, it is best to choose alfalfa. But you can also opt for mustard, for example. Fall cover crops are sown after the first harvests; you don't have to wait for the entire vegetable garden to be free, you can sow and sow it gradually as spaces become available in the vegetable garden. Such a cover crop is then plowed under in late autumn because it will not survive the winter. After alfalfa, you can plant early vegetables that you will start harvesting in April, such as parsley, lettuce, onion, carrot, cabbage, and others.
Winter cover crop, on the other hand, is sown in places after later-harvested vegetables, such as after potatoes. For a winter cover crop, choose winter cereals. We opted for rye because it is denser than wheat and has more green mass. You can also sow wheat, winter barley. This cover crop is plowed under around May 15th.
How to sow a cover crop?
It is best to sow cover crops on a rainy day on loosened soil. Allocate about 1 kg of seeds per 10 square meters. After sowing, gently rake the soil. If you didn't sow on a rainy day, water the sown cover crop. Cover crops can be sown even until November.
Is a cover crop necessary?
No, but cover crops have two huge advantages: they prevent weeds from growing and provide nutrients to our subsequent crops.
Good luck!