If you are in western WA I'll suggest field peas. They are easy to grow, give a good root structure in the soil and are fairly inexpensive. In the spring when the soil still isn't dry you can just pull them where you want to plant and have a ready made planting bed. Tom

I use crimson clover as a winter cover crop.

Field Peas, Tom? That's a new one. I'll look into that. Reg, do you use a different cover crop for the spring/summer? I'm not sure we'll be ready to garden. The soil's going to need lots of ammending. Thanks for the info

I planted rye once for a summer cover and was not happy with that decision. It just looked too much like a foxtail that was going to burrow into my dogs' coats and eyes and noses. Not sure what rye does for the soil anyway.

So no other than that I have not used spring or summer covers as the garden is going full blast at those times. But our springs are so cool that crimson clover lasts a long time.