Green Manure & Cover Crops
Fast-growing plants that improve soil when tilled in
What Are Green Manure & Cover Crops?
Green manures are plants grown specifically to be incorporated into the soil to improve fertility and structure. Cover crops protect bare soil from erosion, suppress weeds, and add organic matter. When tilled in before flowering, they provide a burst of nitrogen and nutrients for the next crop. This is nature's way of building soil quickly, replacing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Benefits
- Adds organic matter and nutrients to soil rapidly
- Prevents erosion and nutrient leaching from bare soil
- Suppresses weeds during fallow periods
- Breaks up compacted soil with deep roots
- Supports soil microbiology and earthworm populations
- Provides habitat and food for beneficial insects
Example Plants
Crimson Clover
Trifolium incarnatum
Annual nitrogen-fixer. Beautiful red flowers. Fixes 100-150 lbs N/acre. Plant fall, incorporate spring. Excellent bee forage before tilling.
Winter Rye
Secale cereale
Hardy winter cover crop. Massive root system prevents erosion. Suppresses weeds. Scavenges excess nitrogen. Till in spring before planting.
Buckwheat
Fagopyrum esculentum
Fast summer cover (6-8 weeks). Loosens soil, suppresses weeds. Flowers feed pollinators. Edible grain if desired. Can be used multiple times per season.
Austrian Winter Pea
Pisum sativum
Cold-hardy nitrogen-fixer. Plant fall, overwinters, incorporate spring. Fixes 100-200 lbs N/acre. Produces biomass quickly.
Oats
Avena sativa
Excellent spring/summer cover crop. Deep roots improve soil structure. Winter-kills in cold climates (no need to till). Edible grain option.
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Implementation Tips
Plant cover crops immediately after harvesting main crops
Use "cover crop cocktails" mixing legumes, grasses, and broadleaves
Incorporate green manures 2-3 weeks before planting next crop
Chop/mow before tilling for faster decomposition
For no-till: mow and leave as surface mulch
Choose cold-hardy varieties for fall planting
Allow some cover crops to flower for pollinator support
Ready to Explore More?
Discover the other 13 functional plant categories and build your regenerative garden.