I'm not a cover crop expert. I usually work ammendments into soil in fall and mulch HEAVILY with straw for winter.

However, I read somewhere that there is a cover crop that when planted in fall, it grows, then dies bacl completely over winter and can be raked aside in spring for planting, or even planted right through if desired.

The particular crop escapes me, and the resources I have at arms reach are not being helpful right now. This one seemed like the logical choice for me, as it did not require mowing, and did not go to seed when planted in fall.

Ken

IF you can access the website for Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, they have oodles of info on cover crops. I assume they have the same information on their website that they do in the catalog. This would give you the basics on choosing a cover crop for your needs and area. I use vetch and rye with a sprinkling of buckwheat mixed in. The buckwheat is easily done in by frost it has to go in earlier. Come spring I chop all of it back into the soil with my tiller (sometimes having to mow first)

Check out my suggestions for cover crops on the organic forum FAQ.

My Favorite Choices of Green Manures

I'm planning to grow this fall and winter radishes, kale, mustard greens, and rapeseed as both a fall garden and the extras will become my non-legume green manures.

I'm going to mix these fast growing non-legumes with slower growing fall/winter legumes like hairy vetch, crimson clover, and winter peas for that nitrogen fixation benefit to add to the erosion control, deep root development, and added organic matter of all cover crops.

I plan on feeding my cover crops all fall and winter with compost teas and cattle feeds. This will not only fertilize the plants and the soil, but also the feeds will add extra cover crop seeds like wheat and oats to the mixture for extra tall growth. I plan on killing my cover crops the no-till way, by February this coming year.

Hope this helps.
Happy Gardening!

FOR COVER CROPS & OTHER WINTER CROPPING INFO, YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE BOUNTIFUL GARDENS CATALOG, PUT OUT BY ECOLOGY ACTION OF WILLITS, CALIF OR THE TERRITORIAL SEEDS CATALOG, COTTAGE GROVE, OREGON. GOOD GARDENING TO YOU,K.