cover crop of clover and rye
Just because it’s November in Michigan, don’t think for a minute that there isn’t much gardening to write about at My Urban Farmscape. Look at the above picture for example. This is a cover crop of clover and rye that I planted which will be tilled into the soil in early spring . If you garden on a slope, a cover crop will help prevent soil erosion. You could add a cover crop during the growing season to help to suppress weeds, or provide additional fertility to the soil which is what I am doing, only I chose mine specifically for planting in the fall. These green manures help organic farmers improve soil fertility from year to year in order to keep their organic certification. Or, even if not certified organic, farmers have learned the value cover crops. Many people forget about the commitment to the earth and the environment our farmers have. I think that using a cover crop is one of the most important things you, as an urban farmer, can do to improve the soil. Feed the soil, which in return, feeds the plant. I talked about this in the post I wrote earlier in the season titled “Talkin Dirty”, here’s the link http://wp.me/p1GoP9-60 I did mention in that post about adding greensand and rock phosphate at this time too.
So, cover crop planted, soil amendments added, gardening season over? Never.
My Urban Farmscape 