Cover Crops: Green Manure for Healthier Garden Soil

Cover Crops

Sainfoin — fast-spreading with attractive flowers — makes a great cover crop. Every planting depletes soil nutrients and organic matter. Without replenishment, soil loses feeding power. Cover crops (green manures) are fast-growing plants grown solely to improve soil. They prevent erosion, control weeds, are inexpensive and easy to grow.

Download our cover crops chart for planting info, timing, characteristics. Requires Adobe Acrobat.

Top 10 Reasons to Plant Cover Crops

1. Availability: Work winter magic when compost is scarce.
2. Daily vitamins: Slowly release nutrients, produce organic matter.
3. Good bugs: Attract pollinators, deter pests.
4. Weed killers: Fast growth smothers weeds.
5. Nutrient retainers: Roots hold nutrients against leaching.
6. Soil retainers: Foliage prevents wind/rain erosion.
7. Nutrient pumps: Deep roots mine nutrients from subsoil.
8. Nitrogen heaven: Legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen in root nodules — released when tilled in.
9. Loose soil: Roots act as automatic tillers, invite earthworms, improve moisture retention.
10. All natural: Cheaper per square foot than chemical fertilizers.