SUMMER COVER CROPPING
Cover cropping is a site-preparation technique that consists of planting annual or perennial herbs with
Usually, cover crops grow for a set time and then they’re tilled in as a green manure/brown
There are many benefits to cover crops, they prevent erosion, improve soil fertility, build soil organic matter, suppress weeds, loosen compacted soils, break pest cycles, and provide pollen, nectar
You can use cover crops in your 1. garden, 2. field crops or pastures and 3. food forest.
1. Garden – here we plant green manures, fast-growing plants sown to cover bare soil and rebuild the organic matter and fertility of the garden beds. These are usually sown in late summer or autumn after the harvest and terminated in spring prior to planting veggies.
To learn more about green manure in this context see: Sow Green Manure Crops.
2. Field Crops/Pastures – here we plant diverse cover crop mixes in order to improve soil and the yield of subsequent crops. These are sown as part of cropping systems and are terminated at different parts of the year as necessary.
3. Food Forest – here we use cover crops as green/brown manures for soil improvement prior to planting trees and shrubs, or use them as transitional or permanent ground covers around already planted food forest trees and shrubs.
What you’ll need?
Estimated cost: $20 – $60 / Acre
- 1 hour of your time
- A big sheet of paper or a spreadsheet (use this template)
- Seed catalogs or list of suppliers (use this database)
What you’ll need?
- Ground cleared of low vegetation
- Seed mix
- Sand
- A bucket or seed broadcasting equipment

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Free ebooks:
Charts:
Online applications:
Videos:
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