I'm looking to plant cover crops in my raised beds this fall and would love some guidance. I have 8 raised beds, each measuring 4x8 feet and standing anywhere from 6 to 16 inches deep. I'm hoping for a crop that will die off over the winter—I'm assuming that a lot will die if I cut them before they go to seed, right? I'm interested in mixing different plants too. I've read that clover, rye, and daikon radish are good options, maybe even barley? What combinations or individual crops have others found success with in raised beds? Should I buy individual seeds and create my own mix, or are there any recommended pre-made mixes available? My main goals are to maintain soil health and microbes (I have good soil quality that I'd like to preserve), create mulch over winter and into the next growing season, and suppress weeds. Just a reminder, I'm in zone 6a. Thanks!
3 Answers
I live in the same zone and used a mix of winter rye and crimson clover last fall. Planted it the first week of October, and it did great over the winter. When spring came, I chopped it down to prevent any volunteers from popping up. One thing I learned is to make sure you kill it off completely; otherwise, you might deal with some stubborn plants later on. Just keep an eye on the timing to ensure everything's taken care of at the right moment for maximum soil benefits!
I'm not in your zone, but I've had good luck with annual ryegrass. It germinates quickly, tolerates heavy oversowing, prevents other weeds from sprouting, and dies off when it gets hot. Just be careful with clover; I can’t imagine removing it once it’s in the beds since it tends to take over in my area. You might also want to consider using cardboard and mulch in some spots—it can be really effective for weed control through winter!
If you’re looking for something that may go dormant, Bermuda grass is sometimes recommended, but as a joke, I have to tell you to steer clear of planting that in your raised beds! It's basically a nightmare. Mint would be great for smell, but don't go near it either! That stuff is hard to get rid of. Just stick with more manageable options like rye or clover for your beds; they’ll do the trick without taking over your garden.
Absolutely! I mean, we all have enough cardboard thanks to online shopping these days.