I really appreciate it when you make multiple videos on one subject (in this case "cover crops") and each video has new information. You don't duplicate videos and repeat information excessively. That's why I really enjoy watching your videos to educate myself 👍 I find them comprehensive and I enjoy learning from them👍 Keep up the great work!!!

I was able to score 50lbs only way they sell it of cover crop similar ingredients for $38 Also Biochar for $45 50lbs.. from my local ag seed store.. I'm happy to share

I never understood what cover crops were before, so this was very helpful. Sounds very fun and useful

True Leaf Market ROCKS SO DO YOU SCOTT!!!

I ordered red clover to try something new this year.....a cover crop. Maybe next year I can do the combination. If the clover gets out of control, I wouldn't mind having it all over my yard.

Got my microgreens and alfalfa seeds(cover crop) from True leaf. I'll definitely be getting that blend next...

One thing I learned to be very careful about with cover crops is not to sow them where I'm growing plants the following year that could be adversely affected by too much nitrogen. This was especially true with my lima beans when I was using hairy vetch as a cover crop but I'm sure it could cause problems with nightshade crops as well. Of course if you have a cover crop that doesn't add an abundance of nitrogen it may not matter.

Hey Scott just wanted to say Thank you for all the hard work you did this summer to help us grow better gardens. We appreciate you brother and I say Thank you and God Bless.

I was already going to like this video because of all the great info, but I hit that like button as fast as I could when your dog came by to say hello lol my dogs are the same when I'm working in the garden so I appreciated that moment a ton!

Thank You for this information I've been wondering about cover crops. You definitely explained it Very through. Everyone stay safe and God Bless you and your family from middle GA 🙏 Kendra

One more thought about this topic - if you have plants in soil they extract a bunch of nutrients for soli organism such as bacteria, protozoa fungi etc. And this will feed your soil. Bare ground or no plants despite od mulach will have limitations to feed the life in the soil. Greetings from Poland, love your channel

Thank You for always providing great information. Your information is always so timely!

Nice blend of cover crops. I can see using this combo in a new area as a way to prepare it for gardening next year. I just terminated my cover crop of buckwheat last weekend and did a video on it.

Thank you Scott. This is very timely as just yesterday I finished reading Gabe Brown’s book DIRT TO SOIL and I was wondering what to plant in my hillside garden. This is very helpful. If you haven’t read DIRT TO SOIL I feel you’d really like it. I goes along with what you and other “no dig” gardeners are saying and explains in detail the benefits to the soil, animals and humans. I had a hard time putting it down once I started reading it.

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion. I read it awhile ago but should revisit it.

this video is so timely! I was just starting to research cover crops & what to plant

That is the best explanation I heard yet. Thank you for this information. I will be checking them out. We are in 4a so I'll contact them to see what they suggest. Take care!

Thanks for video Scott. Just to write my experience, I tried daikon for biodrilling, repair hard compacted clay. Before saw lot of research about it. My result was zero, tried it in spring and also autumn, but daikon was growing out of soil, not going deeper into clay. Before sawing I did soil aeration with digging fork, but it was waste of time and money. I got much better result for building top soil, as you answered my comment before cca 1 year, with aeration, covering with aged horse manure, wood chips and straw. But it is still only an inch of top soil, it does not help to planted trees with deeper roots, especially on rainy winters and very hot summers. So realy lot of situations are unique.

This video came just in time! I'm planning on planting lots of edible flowers with my veggies next year for biodiversity too. I've also learned people mix mushroom grain spawn in their raised beds, so I may try growing annual food forests with it. It'd be cool to also get edible mushrooms in my raised garden too.

I feel like I just watched a commercial for the True Leaf Market cover crop blend, which is OK, as they are a sponsor of yours, isn't a huge problem, and there was a lot of good information about the different cover crops and why they work. I would have loved to have learned more about how you use the crops--when do you plant, do you till it in, leave the roots and put the tops in the compost bin, how long before spring planting do you have to clear the cover crops, etc.?? I was looking for more of a "How to," rather than a "why these are good seeds to use." Just a thought.

@GardenerScott

Жыл бұрын

Here's my video on what I do with cover crops in spring: kzread.info/dash/bejne/q6OVrduBdKyaqJM.html

Timely video! Thanks for the video. I think the cover crop blend is a good suggestion. I bought a blend last year. I just purchased some buckwheat and I’ve noticed a major improvement in the beds from the use of cover crops last year. I may have to try the yellow mustard seed since I have V wilt in one small section of my garden.

@tracycrider7778

Жыл бұрын

Yellow mustard helps with this?

Gardener Scott - thank you so much for the many tips that have made my first season working out of raised beds a success. Up here in Minnesota's region 4b it's essential to make every growing day count & I'm looking looking forward to improving my beds with a winter cereal crop.

Could clover co-exist with vegetable plants (that are tall enough) throughout the growing season? That would be really nice for several reasons. I use raised beds. Maybe you could think about a book about cover crops! It would be very useful. You have a wonderful, clear, easily to understand way of explaining everything. Love your channel!

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, clover can be used as a perennial cover crop. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing the great info!

Very useful information. Perfect timing for me in England. Thank for sharing.

It sounds like one of the unmentioned benefits would be not having to amend the soil so heavily come the spring. Would you do a soil test in the spring to determine what the soil is still lacking?

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, depending on the plants there can be less amending in spring. I typically do a soil test about every three years but doing one after cover cropping is a good idea.

Good information. Thanks

Thanks for the great video! I enjoyed it :)

Sounds like a lot of work. I cover my raised beds with my compost and Black Kow and let it winter over .

Thank you for this information. I have toyed with the idea of cover crops for years, but I haven't been able to make it fit. When my plants die this year (same zone as you) I need to amend the soil. My biggest dilemma is - Is it still advisable to sow cover crops after we're getting consistent nighttime freezes?

Perfect timing - Autumn 2022. A fellow gardener suggested pulling up my tarped area, about 15 feet x 20 feet, and putting down rye. Under my tarp, which has been on the ground for 8 months, is either leaves and cardboard or just cardboard (I forget what I put down under the tarp in the spring but will find out this weekend). So, I do not know if a cover crop is advisable - depending on what is undernearth the tarp. I'm guessing removing the cardboard and raking up the leaves, if they are there, and sprinking a cover crop, would be the most helpful option for the soil, which looked overgrown for at least 1-2 years. Would I put the cardboard or leaves back on top for 2-3 weeks and then remove or leave the ground bare after sprinkling the mixture? The only compost I have is wood chips or - I would have to buy a lot of compost to cover the 15x20 foot area. Anyway, a mixture of seeds seems ideal and bebeficial on multiple levels. Very helpful video. So glad to have come across your channel. Thank you from coastal New Hampshire.

@GardenerScott

Жыл бұрын

Putting the cardboard back would hinder germination but you can put a light mulch of crushed leaves on after sowing the seed.

I buy my 13 seed type cover crop from Amazon, no shipping charge with prime. $12 bag is $12.

I didnt know the romans were using cover crops .

I've never heard triticale pronounced as you have done. Now I'm questioning myself and everyone around me. We pronounce it trit-eh-kale-ee or trit-eh-kale. The grains produced make great high-protein doughs or beer.

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t know for sure. You could be right.

@TheSamba37

2 жыл бұрын

@@GardenerScott it's part of why I love the official nomenclature for species. Everyone seems to pronounce them a tad different, but if you're at least familiar with the names and their spelling, you can figure out what plant is being talked about. Also, as someone who brews using triticale, I get asked a lot if I'm making it up because apparently it's the topic of a Star Trek episode. Still haven't seen the episode myself. Cheers!

Hi Scott, great video! I want to experiment with cover crops this fall/winter but I have a deer issue. What type crops do you recommend that won't attract more deer? Thanks so much!

@GardenerScott

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Karen. Most of the typical cover crops are deer resistant. Grass and groundcovers are not a preferred food and they don't attract deer when other food is available.

Thank you for all you do to teach us. I have gardened all my life but am always learning. I am in zone 9a and we do garden year-round. Can I grow my winter brassicas surrounded by cover crow like this mix?

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

Sure. In your climate you should be able to do brassicas and about any cover crop you like.

@peggyjones7254

2 жыл бұрын

@@GardenerScott Thank you so much.

Hi Scott. This video was PERFECT timing. This is my first time doing a cover crop and I will be ordering this seed blend. But…. Since this is my first time doing a cover crop and I don’t know what I am doing, can you please do a video showing how to prepare the beds for a cover crop and then spreading the seeds? I am confused with knowing do I add compost first? Do I add mulch over the seeds? Do I add compost after I pull the cover crop? Etc…….

@MatthewC117

2 жыл бұрын

I'm not Scott, but don't over think it to much. You could do it any of the ways you are questioning. I will also say I am not an expert though. Lol I played around with cover crop at the start of spring. You can just toss the seed around. The main goal is to cover the soil. I would prepare my beds as normal. Pull old plants out and add to compost, but instead of a mulch layer add the seeds. You can mulch it, but do so lightly. I added to thick of a layer of straw this year and had to pull it back when I saw it start floating off the soil from the seedlings lifting it. As for compost you can add before or after by what I have seen. I tried several different things in different beds to see how it would fair. You mention pulling the cover crop before adding compost. I would just toss the compost on top if you want to add it after the cover crop. Leaving the cover crop there benefits your soil. I used my hands and broke up the top 2-3 inches of soil up to help kill it. Technically you could even leave the cover crop all season and not kill it at all and plant your garden. I haven't done it outside, but I grow indoors and have done that in grow bags. Which at the end up flowering I chopped it to added back to the pot.

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

I have a few videos from last year that show bed prep and sowing in fall. If the soil was amended in spring I cover the bed and seeds with a light layer of compost and then add more compost in spring and turn it all into the soil. If I'm amending in fall I add compost, mix it in and then sow the cover crop seeds. In all cases I add mulch for winter cover.

Hi Scott, I'm a little confused on cover crops. So after I pull my summer crops in my raised beds do I broadcast the seeds over the bed? Then in Spring do I pull all of the cover crops up and add compost and plant my Spring vegetables? Can I also add cover crops to my large containers? Thank you.

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

You can broadcast and grow over winter. Then it depends on the plant and the reason for the cover crop to determine if you pull it, turn it into the soil, or leave it in place.

@ValSpringer

2 жыл бұрын

@@GardenerScott thank you!

@melaniehouston6633

2 жыл бұрын

Looks like it’s open for another video. So daikon radish…pull, legume, rye and wheat turn in?

@melaniehouston6633

2 жыл бұрын

Also heard good things about buckwheat.

@racebiketuner

2 жыл бұрын

@@melaniehouston6633 Yup. It's easy to grow, has nice flowers and the seeds are tasty. If you decide to give it a try, make sure to research the best time for planting in your zone.

Hi Scott I’m in Canada on lake Heron . We get lots of snow here. What do you recommend to protect my raised vegetable garden? 🤔 I’m new at this. Hopefully you can help. I enjoy watching your videos.Thanks 🇨🇦👍.

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

After doing some cover crop seeds and cleaning dead plants from my beds, I mulch with straw, crushed leaves, and dried grass over winter. Between the cover crop plants and the mulch, my soil is protected until spring. The snow helps hold it all in place.

if I understand correctly, can we just till the plants into the soil in the spring? After we do that, should we wait a certain amount of time before we plant the spring garden? Thanks so much for the info you provide. I've learned so much & my garden beds are showing it!

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, for most of the plants you can till in spring. I suggest at least a month of waiting so the soil organisms begin breaking it down before you plant in spring.

I planted Oil-seed Radish and it grew really well before the first frost. So what do I do with it in the spring before I am ready to plant other crops?

@tracycrider7778

Жыл бұрын

Til it in !

Thank you for this information. I ordered this mix of seeds yesterday. I live in Colorado too. If we get a freeze at the end of this month now will it effect the crop?

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

It will affect some of the plants but most will do okay. I plan to cover mine with hoops and plastic for the first few frosty nights to help them get established.

@lindabarlau6335

2 жыл бұрын

@@GardenerScott Thank you!

Thanks Gardener Scott A year ago I had interest. Was curious about winter rye. Found only a few articles & KZread but none were complete in my mind but I jumped in. Sowed a large undecided area near fence. Success growing and beautiful Just didn’t know what to do next. Saw 2 philosophies: mow early or let grow and breakdown to use as mulch (like laying down straw). Without plan for area- just let grow. Never did but should have put a sign up “cover crop experimental area”😂 it’s browned up & partially broken down. Need to review. May have reseeded. Any comments for next step? See True Leaf has an info download.

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

I had success letting it grow, pulling it, and using the dried plant as mulch instead of straw. Turned into the soil it should break down faster.

@marymccormick7806

2 жыл бұрын

@@GardenerScott - are you going to do a follow up to cover crops… how you terminated prior to Spring bed planting? I’d be interested in seeing your cover crop as it’s coming back to life prior to you pulling/turning under. I bought the variety seed last fall. Need to think about that garden bed now

I assume you water the cover crop all winter just like you would a garden. I’m a newbie gardener and just started learning about cover crop. I gained some new info in this video.

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

Once the ground freezes I stop watering but start up again when day temps are above 40F.

I used some wicking tubs this year and want to continue to use them next year and on. Would you suggest planting a cover crop in them?

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

You can. I usually don't do cover crops in smaller containers but they can still achieve benefits, even in tubs.

Thank you for this great blend recommendation (which we are now buying!) So after these have sprouted, do we just push them down and cover the bed with a tarp for a week or so?

@GardenerScott

Жыл бұрын

After sprouting, a light mulch will help them. If the tarp is for shade in the heat, that will help too.

@enzoselva888

Жыл бұрын

@@GardenerScott thank you Scott! And when it’s time to cancel them, what’s the process for turning them back to the soil? Never Till runs them over with a kind of mower, then covers them for a week or 10 days… but that’s on the ground… curious as to what the best process of “termination” is for a raised bed?

@GardenerScott

Жыл бұрын

Some of the plants will die in winter, while some may sprout again in spring. I cut them and let them fall as mulch. For the ones that sprout they are easy to pull. Turning into the soil can be done at any time.

@enzoselva888

Жыл бұрын

@@GardenerScott Gosh that's just perfect. Thank you for taking the time!!!

Hi, I watched a video when you amended the soil in the fall with grass clippings and compost. Would you still plant the cover crop on top of that after amending or just do one method? Thank you

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

It depends on if I've already amended the bed in spring. I use cover crop alone on spring-amended beds and also sow the seeds after fall amending.

@thepatinafinish2222

2 жыл бұрын

@@GardenerScott Thank you for responding. If I understand correctly, it is ok for me to do both now for the fall amendment.

Amazing

@prekeujkaj1625

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Scott! I have my garden covered with fabric covered for because I don’t have a raised beds in the my garden do I need to cover after summer crops end ,any explanation really appreciate Thanks Peter ny

How do I sew the mixed bag of cover crop seeds? Will they also be worthy of planting in a large 22" high raised garden that is only half full of branches, leaves, grass cuttings for the start up use for next spring B-4 the last 8-12" of the better top soil goes in?

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

I broadcast them across the bed, add a light layer of compost, and rake them in. I think they would be good in a new bed for next year.

@tracycrider7778

Жыл бұрын

Definitely! It will help add more organic material into your beds!

Great video! Was this sponsored? I didn't see or hear the disclaimer. It's cool if it's sponsored, but it's good to be upfront

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. It isn’t sponsored but I did get the seeds from them to review.

@DeadeyeJoe37

2 жыл бұрын

@@GardenerScott good to know. Great video with lots of good info. Here in Hawaii, I have to use thick mulch or else the jungle takes over. 😎🤙

What kinds of garden plants could you grow in high nitrogen soil? I think some don't like it...

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

Plants with a lot of leafy growth do better in nitrogen rich soils. Grasses in particular.

Hi do you know the best cover crop?

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

It depends on why you're using them. I use a variety of different plants to get different benefits.

Is it too late for me in Rocky ford

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

Depending on the plants there is still time

If you plant cover crops right next to the veggies, how would this be different from a weed, which is competing for nutrients? Why not just let weeds grow all around your veggies - wouldn't they also improve the soil? Dandelions and yellow dock, for example, have deep roots. Also, I had some parsnips that self seeded and planted themselves all around my garden, and for some reason I can't seem to tolerate them anymore, so I'm just using the ones I deliberately planted as a cover crop, as they have lots of foliage and deep roots - wouldn't that be just a good as daikons?

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

By choosing the right plant and timing the planting you can avoid competition. Parsnips and most root vegetables can achieve the same soil building effect as Daikons.

@annestudley8235

2 жыл бұрын

@@GardenerScott Thank you for your reply. i'd like to know more about choosing timing of planting to avoid competition, particularly for nutrients in the soil. And are you saying that planting cover crops instead of letting weeds grow means that you're controlling the timing of plants growing near your veggies? If that's the only reason, why not just refrain from weeding at the right times?

@GardenerScott

2 жыл бұрын

As large plants fade at the end of the season seeds can be started. Their roots won't interfere which each other. A weed is just a plant in the wrong place. You can refrain from weeding and use those plants as cover crops if you choose.

Can you eat them like microgreens

@GardenerScott

10 ай бұрын

That is an option for the edible plants.

what kind of dog is that?

@racebiketuner

2 жыл бұрын

A good dog ;-)