With or Without Cover Crop Results

July 10, 2024

If you ever wondered if planting a cover crop was worth it, here are rows of proof -- YES, it's worth it!

Part of what we do on this website is capture the best practices so that others can learn from the tips and get better at their own gardening techniques.

Last winter the row on the left was planted with cover crop by Salish Garden Manager Neil Howe. The row on the right had a wintering crop already in it, so planting a cover crop in the same space wasn't going to happen. When basil was planted into both this spring, we can now see the side-by-side comparison. Crop covering wins.

There are many different kinds of cover crops as Bear talked about in her session last month at FairWinds. For now, just load it into your mind that it works and come fall, plant your cover crops for a spring chop, drop, turn-in session and then plant. A little extra upfront work doubles the outcome.