Extension

As summer fades into fall, gardeners who haven’t planted fall vegetables may want to consider planting cover crops to improve garden soil during the off-season.

 

There are various options for cover crops, and finding what’s best for the location, the soil’s needs and when gardeners want to plant the next round of vegetables are factors to consider. It’s also essential to understand the benefits of cover crops.

 

Cover crops can generally protect soil from erosion during winter wind and rain. Think of them as a cozy winter blanket. As any gardener knows, weeds are the archnemesis of gardening enthusiasts, but cover crops can help suppress weeds. Cover crops also add organic matter to the soil, improve soil structure, and even break pest and disease cycles by resting and rejuvenating garden beds.

 

Oklahoma’s relatively mild winter weather conditions allow for various cover crops to be grown. In most cases, a mix of a grass and a legume is recommended. Together, they suppress weeds, build soil organic matter and add nitrogen.

 

Plant cover crops in September and October, ideally about four to six weeks before the first frost. To make the most of your cover crops, follow these planting tips:

• Clear garden beds of summer crops and weeds.
• Loosen the soil lightly – there’s no need to till deeply.
• Broadcast seed lightly and gently rake it in.
• Keep it well-watered until established.

Terminate cover crops at least two to four weeks before planting spring vegetables. This will help prevent the cover crops from tying up nutrients that the vegetable crop will need. Be aware that some species of cover crops can reseed if not terminated before flowering. Termination methods include mowing/cutting, tilling/incorporation and winterkill.

 

Oklahoma State University Extension offers additional cover crop information in the fact sheet Healthy Garden Soils HLA-6436.