Cover crops are an organic-friendly way to improve garden soil. Often referred to as “green manure,” these crops are planted in the late summer or early fall and tilled into the garden the following spring. As they decompose, the nutrients they contain are released into the soil.

Cover Crops for Bedford Gardens

In addition to incorporating nutrients into the soil, cover crops disrupt disease cycles, prevent erosion and suppress weeds. The roots of cover crops can loosen compacted soil while providing a beneficial environment for soil organisms. Here are seven cover crops recommended for Bedford gardens. They can be used singly or in combination with one another:

  • Annual Ryegrass. Contrary to what its name suggests, annual ryegrass survives most northeast Ohio winters and will need killed back in the spring. Annual rye grass has deep roots which aid in breaking up compacted soil.
  • Berseem Clover. Unlike most legume cover crops, Berseem clover is an annual which dies back over the winter. Its thick foliage smothers weeds as its roots add nitrogen to the soil.
  • Buckwheat. This frost-tender annual grows quickly in warm weather. Its broadleaf foliage does an excellent job of suppressing weeds. Avoid planting buckwheat near roses as it attracts Japanese beetles to the garden.
  • Hairy Vetch. While this legume fixes large amounts of nitrogen into the soil, it grows slowly in the fall and will survive northeast Ohio winters. It can be mowed in the spring and tilled under or used as mulch around garden plants.
  • Oats. This fast growing cool-season grass can survive frost, but not northeast Ohio winters. Mow it in the fall if it produces seed heads.
  • Oilseed radish. The long taproots of this cover crop break up compacted soil. It also absorbs nitrogen deep in the ground and brings it to the surface. Oilseed radishes will die back in Bedford winters, but produce a rather pungent odor as they decompose.
  • Soybeans. Like most legume cover crops, soybeans fix nitrogen into the soil. This crop won’t survive the winter, but be sure to terminate soybeans in the fall should they form seed pods.

Tips for Using Cover Crops

Cover crops don’t require a lot of maintenance over the winter and can often be planted with minimal soil preparation. Additionally, cover crops can be sown in small areas as vegetable plants finish producing for the year.

Before planting a cover crop, remove the spent vegetable plants. Next, rake the top layer of soil to loosen it. Seed can be broadcast by hand. Thick coverage is recommended to suppress weeds. Rake the seed into the soil and keep it well watered for quick germination.