Plant cover crops to build soil between seasons

Sow cover crops like crimson clover, winter rye, hairy vetch, or buckwheat in fallow garden beds during the off-season. Cut or till them into the soil 2-3 weeks before planting your next crop.

Why It Works

Cover crops prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and add organic matter when incorporated as "green manure." Legumes like clover and vetch fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules, enriching the soil without purchased fertilizer. Grains like rye produce extensive root systems that break up compaction and improve soil structure.

Tips

• Clover and vetch fix nitrogen — plant before nitrogen-hungry crops like corn or tomatoes
• Winter rye is the hardiest option for cold climates and establishes quickly in fall
• Buckwheat is a fast summer cover (30-40 days to maturity) that attracts pollinators
• Cut before seed set to prevent the cover crop from becoming a weed
• This is a long-term soil building strategy — benefits compound over multiple seasons