In a similar situation some years ago I planted some seed for some sort of "vetch". It covered the area without care and attracted a lot of bees. This is not much help, I'm sure. But it has been awhile. My mind is currently fallow.

I always go for a nitrogen-rich ground cover for fallow areas. Something that can smother weeds and yet be tilled in to enrich the soil when it comes time to use the ground again. Any of the legume cover crops work well for that purpose. And if the area is not fenced and you have deer in the area as we do, they thrive on it. ;-)

Dave

@Dave thanks do you have any more specific varieties that you have used in the past?

Red clover, field peas (plus you can harvest and eat the peas ;-), hairy vetch, etc. I really like buckwheat too but it depends on when you plant which works best. My personal favorite is to make up my own mix of field peas, several varieties of radishes, and some clover and vetch seed all mixed together and seeded densely. They germinate at different times but support each other through the winter in my climate. Not sure about your NY climate though. See what the NY extension recommends.

Dave