Fall/Spring Cover Crop Mix: Nourish and Protect Your Soil

This Farm on Central Exclusive fall cover crop mix is designed to improve soil health, suppress weeds, and enhance biodiversity in your garden or farm. The mix includes fast-growing ingredients like Austrian Winter Peas and Taproot Radish, which will flourish during the cooler fall months, helping to break up soil compaction and fix nitrogen before winter. Meanwhile, other components such as Cereal Rye, Crimson Clover, and Hairy Vetch will establish themselves lightly in the fall, but their true strength comes in the spring when they return with vigorous growth, enhancing soil structure and fertility as they take off with the warmer weather.

For small gardeners, seeding this cover crop is simple. After your summer harvest, clear the planting area of any debris, lightly till or rake the soil, and broadcast the seeds evenly across the surface. Gently rake them in to ensure good soil contact. Water thoroughly to encourage germination, especially if rain is scarce. As for application rates, 2 lbs. of this mix will cover about 1,500 square feet, while 10 lbs. will cover up to 6,000 square feet.

This mix is well suited to mow several times in the early spring before turning under or can be left to mature and cut for straw. 

What’s in the Mix:

• Cereal Rye – Known for its deep root system, Cereal Rye is a hardy grain that helps prevent erosion and improves soil structure. It scavenges nitrogen, retaining it in the soil for future crops, while its dense growth suppresses weeds. It comes back strong in the spring and provides a "ladder" for the hairy vetch to climb.

• Crimson Clover (C/I) – A fast-growing legume that fixes nitrogen in the soil, Crimson Clover enhances fertility while adding organic matter. Its brilliant red flowers also attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

• Hairy Vetch (C/I) – Another nitrogen-fixing legume, Hairy Vetch provides a rich source of organic nitrogen. Its vigorous growth covers the soil quickly, offering excellent weed suppression, while adding organic matter when incorporated.

• Taproot Radish – This deep-rooted radish (often known as Daikon) breaks up compacted soil and creates channels that allow for better water and air infiltration. It also helps scavenge nutrients from deep in the soil, bringing them closer to the surface.

• Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover – Known for its ability to fix nitrogen and break up heavy soils, Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover adds a sweet fragrance to the mix. It also enhances biodiversity by attracting pollinators and beneficial insects.

• Austrian Winter Pea – This cold-hardy legume is a great nitrogen-fixer, providing a steady supply of organic nitrogen for the next crop. Its lush growth improves soil tilth, adding organic matter when turned into the soil, while also offering some weed suppression.

Why Use a Cover Crop Mix? This mix is specially formulated to build your soil’s health over the winter months. The blend of grasses and legumes works together to reduce erosion, improve soil fertility, break up compaction, and add organic matter. By planting this cover crop mix in the fall, you’re preparing your garden or field for a successful spring planting season. Let nature do the work while you enjoy a break!