I recently expanded my garden by removing some grass and wanted to do a quick round with a cover crop mix I used before, which includes Austrian Field Pea, Hard Red Winter Wheat, Triticale, Daikon Radish, Hairy Vetch, Crimson Clover, Berseem Clover, Yellow Mustard, and Collard Greens. I'm planning to give it about a month or two before I plant anything else. Do you think this short duration is beneficial or should I consider a different seed mix?
2 Answers
A month or two might not be enough time for those cover crops to make a significant impact. You could try sheet mulching or solarizing to help prep the soil a bit more before planting. It won’t completely get rid of the grass, but it'll certainly help. Just a heads-up, it'll take some time for those methods to work, so choose what fits best with your timeline!
From my experience, those crops are better suited for fall planting in my region, so timing is key! In spring, I've had success with peas and oats for nitrogen, radishes to help with compacted soil, and mustard as a biofumigant. I typically plant around mid to late March and let them grow before I terminate. If you can wait longer than a month, it'll be more beneficial, but if you're eager to plant, then be ready to manage the transition well!
That’s super helpful. Thank you!