- The speaker describes preparing garden beds for winter by using two inexpensive methods: planting cover crops and adding layers of leaves. This process helps to build soil fertility during the off-season.
- Cover crops such as field peas, oats, and hay (hairy vetch) are used primarily because they enrich the soil. Peas and hairy vetch fix nitrogen, while oats improve soil structure and aeration with their fibrous roots.
- The technique of ‘crimping' the cover crops involves physically flattening the plants with a simple tool to create a dense mat on the soil surface. This process helps to incorporate the plants into the soil as they decompose.
- Leaves are then layered on top of the flattened cover crop to a significant depth (7-8 inches), acting as insulation that regulates soil temperature and moisture over winter, thus enhancing decomposition.
- In another section of the garden, a different technique involving daikon radish seeds is applied to improve soil structure further through their deep taproots. After cutting the plants with a string trimmer, the green material is mixed with leaves to form a compost layer under the flattened cover crop.
Video source: Well Grounded Gardens / Youtube
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But isn't vetch that plant that throws seeds everywhere? I think I planted it a couple years ago, and it's still a pain.
Nice demonstration and nice to me you.
Thank you for a very worthwhile video. One comment, though: The "kon" part of "daikon (大根)" is pronounced like "cone" rather than "con".
do you mix in the composting leaves into the soil or pull it back to plant in spring? In my experience the leaf mould would not be what I consider finished by spring. I get 4 or 5 dump trucks of leaves delivered and i have to run them over with my 52" zero turn mower to speed the process. Just curious if you mix it in the soil or not?
thanks, very nice garden.
Just found your channel and had to subscribe immediately! Love your bed layout and style of your videos. Can't wait to watch more videos.
Great video! Very informative interesting as well. Thank you
This might be a dumb question, but what is the difference between cover cropping and just using the roots from the summer garden plants? I have 2 beds with summer stuff that has mostly died and I haven’t done anything with them yet
Looking forward to seeing what you grow in winter! I'll look out for that video. Love to see all those leaves doing something great!
The music, didnt even hear it. It usually is annoying ans wonder why it is always added.
THANK YOU!!!! Everyone always talks about cover crops but no one EVER actually demonstrates how to fold them in! So helpful. Especially showing both methods. Finally!! 🙂
Great and informative! I am also doing alot of no till soil-building here in Washington state, but haven't done alot of cover cropping yet. I'm curious when you planted the cover crops you spoke about in this video? In early October, I managed to get favas planted in a few beds and slugs ate ALL of them, so no cover crops this winter sadly, Instead I am mulching with leaves, straw, compost etc. I will try again next fall with the blends you recommend. Thanks again for the great ideas!
Very interesting techniques. I mulch with leaves and use cover crops on other beds but never thought about combining the two methods.
How about just straw? Check out the one straw revolution book.
Very smart video
Here in the UK this works great but we dont get so much snow so I have used old carpet or felted wrapping fabric on top to insulate it…the mower idea is awesome I like that one a lot
I have in the past left a cover on plots so that moles and other small critters get underneath and start digging everything up, by the time you pull the cover off its all nicely turned over and loose so you can rake and plant straight into it.
Fantastic little instructional video
Thankyou for sharing
My father used leaves every year in his garden. Didn't turn over the soil until early spring. His garden was impressive with plant towering over us. With so much growth one would think the food production would suffer. It did not.
I do like the blocks for your boarders. I use them for keeping my hives off the ground.
My computer sent me to your youtube video. I'm going to watch a few more. As I liked this one I'll likely subscribe.
Excellent video.
those are austrian peas
great video thank you!
What fantastic ideas!! Please show the results in the Spring, and thank you soooo very much!!
I've used rye grass seed for over wintering adds good nitrogen for next plant season
This is a great video ! Thanks
Great, succinct video! Thank you!
Excellent video. Very learningful. Nice quick pace. I'll def try this fall cc mix. Daikons too. Btw, I do have a winter garden going for the first time. I built a simple greenhouse with a bamboo frame on a 4×8 raised bed. Bok choi, kale and spinach. Still harvesting now.
Thanks so much for sharing, this was very informative❣️ I was looking for some information on how to do this for my garden next year and was lucky enough to find you❣️💋💖🦋
Love the raised beds
Great video! I never even heard the background music 😊
I've never done a cover crop, but I've seen various techniques. I always wondered why no one did the crop circle method… happy to see someone do that!!!😂😂❤
Music is annoy otherwise i like yur vedio tnx.
using woven weed barrier fabric over the top of your mulch would allow for the benefits you had here but also provide more warmth to kickstart everything faster keeping those bugs warm and active etc to break down your materials under it faster