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Subject: Cover crop
From: "Ryan Lenz" <ryanjlenz@home.com>
Organization: @Home Network
Date: Thu, 26 Oct 00 16:35:28
Message-ID: <MOD$001025.18199@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



Hello all,

This past season was my gardens first, and it did fairly well. I've stayed
organic, and wish to continue to do so. Up here in the Pacific Northwest,
its starting to get mighty cold, and all my crops have died back for the
year. So now, I'm left with a bare (or almost bare) plot of land, and I'm
concerned about soil erosion, especially with all the rain we get up here.
I've read a tiny bit about putting on "green manure" or a cover crop, and my
understanding is this: spread the cover crop seeds after your harvesting is
complete for the season, and the cover crop keeps the soil from eroding.
Sounds good. Though i've never read this, i'm guessing that the cover crop
will also capture energy from the sun and add it to my little plot o' Earth.

So anyway, what is a good cover crop? I'd like to not have to till it down
next spring. And finally, are there any other provisions I should make for
winter?

Thanks-
Ryan Lenz