border. Using cover crop seeds to build up a solid cover crop has been used for hundreds of years in the America's. Custom programming and server maintenance by, How to Plant Cover Crops to Recharge Your Soil This Winter, http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/nutrient/culturalpractices/, http://landresources.montana.edu/soilfertility/covercrops.html, http://tcpermaculture.com/site/2014/02/05/permaculture-plants-buckwheat/, http://forages.oregonstate.edu/fi/topics/cover-crops/grasses, https://ask.extension.org/questions/162757, http://www.okrangelandswest.okstate.edu/files/wildlife%20pdfs/, http://cropwatch.unl.edu/emergent-winter-wheat-and-grasshoppers. See our video demonstrating, “How to Plant Cover Crops to Recharge Your Soil This Winter.”, Submitted by Roxine on September 9, 2020 - 8:31am. Following tilling, the cover crop will decompose, and soil microbes will return nitrogen and other elements to the soil for the next crop. If you dig a new garden bed in spring or early summer, grow one or two crops of heat-loving buckwheat or beans. Cover crops grow well in prepared garden soil. What would be the best Fall cover crops to sow that would be good for my largely clay soil and on which my few goats and various fowl can feed? There are two main groups of cover crops for gardens, legumes and non-legumes and each group has plants which grow better in certain climates. Submitted by Linda Barr on September 13, 2016 - 11:27am. A radish cover crop is a great choice for many reasons. (Click on either chart to see a larger, downloadable pdf version.) Detailed growing information on all seed packets with resealable bags for better seed storage Buckwheat is a quick-growing cover crop that improves the tilth of your soil, while also adding potassium. Of course, cover crops differ by gardening zone and region. In late fall or the following spring, turn in the dead plant material and plant flowers or vegetables in the new, improved bed. With certain types of cover crops, you can select a seed or seed mix whose primary purpose is to fix primarily the nitrogen and/or the potassium levels of your soil. i planted red clover in the spring... it did great, got much taller than i expected. Cover crops planted in your garden will also serve as “living mulch” preventing erosion, nutrient loss from leaching and inhibiting weed growth. Water the beds, if necessary, to help get the crop established. Just scatter the seed over the area to be covered at a depth corresponding to the size of the seed. So, if you are planning on planting potatoes in mid-February, then you’ll mow down and then till in your rye and/or clover about mid-January so that the cover crop will have time to decompose and provide all the benefits to the potato crop that is being planted. This process is "fixing nitrogen.". There needs to be a new region added to the planting guides - Rocky Mountain region. While both types of cover crops contribute organic matter to the soil, non-legumes produce more of this biomass. Many gardeners plant a mixture of cover crops to increase the number of benefits to their garden, but cover crops do require some management. If you start a new garden in late summer, plant ryegrass, rapeseed or oats, which grow quickly in cool weather. Consult the charts below. Using cover crop seeds will help the soil and reduce the erosion in our garden. They are usually seeded at a high rate to create a dense mat of plants that act as both mulch and green manure. They help reduce soil splash and erosion, and keep weeds in check. Buy Created with Sketch. This is a great benefit and one we recommend home gardeners to use and this includes raised garden beds! The amount of seed to plant will vary with the species, but, in general, winter cover crops are seeded at a rate of 2 to 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Step 1: Prepare the Soil. For the record, we also consulted a couple of coop extensions including yours in Michigan (as it happens, as of 2013 —the date of the post— grasshoppers were not a significant concern but see the links at the bottom of the page; if that’s not enough, you could ask Michigan again). You can grow them as both green manures and edible crops. Prior to planting, inoculate the seeds of legume cover crops with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (available from cover crop seed suppliers). The huge roots can penetrate compacted subsoil, and when the plants die from cold temperatures, the rotting radishes improve the soil. These four cover crops are among the most commonly available through garden centers and mail-order catalogs: The choice of cover crop depends on the main benefit you are hoping to obtain from the cover crop. When you remove plants, you remove nature’s way of protecting the landscape and its fertility. I'll expand on it here. This cover crop is very convenient for those of you who don't want weeds in your gardens. For both nitrogen and organic matter, use a mixture of legumes and cereals. Organic options. The practice of growing specific crops just for fertilizing and building the soil dates back to the Roman Empire. Cover crops prevent erosion of garden soil and leaching of nutrients over the winter, once these plants are tilled into the soil, they begin returning nutrients to the garden. To sow a cover crop over an entire bed: Prepare the soil by tilling under or removing plant wastes and mulch from the summer. the cover crop under. Incorporating Cover Crops Method #1. Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum) is a cool-weather clover often planted in the … Prevent erosion. WCS Garden Cover Crop Mixes help to reduce erosion and compaction, and increase water permeation in the garden. Nitrogen-fixing legumes such as clover, vetch, and peas convert atmospheric nitrogen in soil into forms that can be used by your plants. Bulk quantity cover crop seed catalog for farmers provided at a discount. If you are new to using cover crops, here’s a quick overview of the process. I want to use cover crops to prevent weeds growing, prevent the soil from eroding, and lastly, make the soil rich in nutrients. De Rosa on August 14, 2018 - 2:39pm. Cover crops are plants grown in a garden to improve a soil’s physical structure and fertility. per 1000 sq.ft. OK. near the SW. AR. Select a winter-friendly legume and a cereal grain (hairy vetch and winter rye, for example, or winter wheat and crimson clover). They are plants that are grown to suppress weeds, help build and improve soil, … For cool-season cover crops (planted in late summer/fall), annuals are the way to go. University of Minnesota Extension discovers science-based solutions, delivers practical education, and engages Minnesotans to build a better future. To do so, cut the cover crop in the spring a few weeks prior to planting your garden. In most regions, it’s best to plant right after you make your last harvest. Check the planting times in our Garden Planner to pick the right cover crop sowing time for your area. Submitted by The Editors on September 9, 2020 - 10:19am. Use green manures in established vegetable gardens after you harvest early-maturing vegetables. • Techniques recommended for/in Idaho may have use for you (great info here—perhaps the best of the lot, actually): http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/nutrient/culturalpractices/PDF/Cover%20Crops%20for%20High-Desert%20Farming%20Systems%20in%20Idaho.pdf, • The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union cites “Sow True Seed” company on one of its pages (https://www.rmfu.org/farm-supplies/), with a link. It is a mixture of several different seeds which can establish quickly. Cowpeas $1.75 per lb. Apply a thin layer of loose straw to protect the area from wind and runoff from heavy rains. Here’s advice and our charts on cover crops by region for the United States and Canada. Plant a cover crop now and your garden will reward you next year with richer soil, fewer weeds, and more bountiful crops. In established vegetable or flower gardens, plant a green manure early in the season to improve the soil. However, beyond seed selection, cover crops are cover crops. Growing Cover Crop Mix Garden Seeds Hardiness Zones: Annual cover crop use Days to Maturity: Mixed varieties, 30-70 Days Cover Crop Mix Seeding Rate: 2-4 lb per 1000 sq. of seed. ), • If you are in Colorado (or near) this page may be of value: https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/CNAP/RevegetationGuide.pdf Do a search/find for “cover crop” or turn to pages 76 and 108 for information. Cover crops seeds are also known as green manure seeds, and include grasses, legumes, and a few varieties of flowers. Cover crops form a living mulch in gardens because they grow thickly among each other. The cover crops need at least 4 weeks before a fall frost to get established. How and when to seed garden cover crops. Annual rye is our go-to cover crop to feed and protect our garden. See Recommended Cover Crops for Your Region. Hardworking legumes suppress weeds, fix nutrients into the soil, improve soil … If you allow either of these species to flower and set seed, hundreds of plants will come up the next year. Or, you can plant multiple cover crops in one plot much the same as you would when planting one crop. Growing cover crops for vegetable gardens also halts soil erosion, reduces weed problems, aids in water retention and provides cover for beneficial insects. Do not allow cover crops to go to seed. The fatal effectiveness is about 50%, with fewer hatches the year after you use. If planted in late summer, they will begin growing again in early spring. Plant several weeks before first frost to establish. There will be fewer weeds than before. For cover crops that are only marginally hardy in your area, push back the sowing date to 60 days before the first frost. I reside in SE. Versatile for any garden, and attractant to pollinators as well. Examples include: winter rye, hairy vetch, red clover, oats, buckwheat, forage rye, Italian rye grass (sown by October), field beans, and forage pea (sown by November). First, our list of the best cover crops for gardens is Buckwheat. Purchase seed locally if possible from a farm supply store or garden center. Note on Inoculating Legume Seeds: If you are planting legumes as nitrogen fixes, you also need to purchase “inoculant.” Use at a rate of at least 1 oz. It has a seeding rate of 1.75 lbs. You will, of course, use different varieties for best results. To sow a cover crop, start by roughly digging the ground over. Most soils in Minnesota have adequate populations of the bacteria needed to form the association with legumes. When the legume dies and its roots begin to decompose, residual nitrogen in the nodules becomes available to other plants. Cover Crops for Winter Gardens. All rights reserved. The crops then get turned into the soil with a hoe or a tiller, just before planting time. Other crops that may be grown for winter-killed mulch include field pea, oilseed radish, and rapeseed. Thanks. Buy cover crop seed online for a legume groundcover in your orchard with inoculants and detailed growing information for Barrel Medic, Cover Crop Kits 1000 m2, Cover Crop Kits 4500 m2, Lucerne Sequel, Lucerne Hunter River, Crimson Clover, Red Clover, White Clover, Wynns Cassia. Choosing a Cover Crop. With this harvest system farmers end up cutting too late to obtain maximum forage quality. Use cover crops to let your garden rest over the winter. Choosing a Cover Crop. Tamp down the soil with the back of a rake then scatter, or broadcast, your seeds evenly across the soil surface. To help the inoculant adhere to the seed, mix 9 parts hot water (non-chlorinated) with 1 part corn syrup (10% solution), let cool, and add a small amount of this solution to the seeds. • Some sources recommend tilling the soil (do not forget to do fence rows and borders) in autumn to bring overwintering eggs to the surface and repeating in spring. Gardeners plant and harvest different crops at different times. Many plants in the legume family, such as peas, beans, vetch and clover, grow in cooperation with soil-dwelling bacteria. They also hold minerals normally leached from your soil over the winter. Credit: WSU.edu. Need to find out what to do with it now.... let it go through the winter or dig it in now? Densely planted cover crops will suppress perennial and winter annual weed growth. The caveat with this type of cover crop is that you have to clear the land and plant the cover crop early enough to get significant amounts of biomass to hold the soil over the winter. You can plant green manure where these vegetables were growing to keep the garden weed-free, prevent soil erosion and add organic matter to the soil. Some gardeners sow cover crops plants in spring, especially in new garden plots to improve the soil and choke out weeds. No need to fertilize. Sow them in late summer according to the directions from the seed supplier, and let them grow all winter. For the smaller garden, here are some examples of a few cover crops that may be the winning ticket to a modest garden. To decide which cover crop to grow, consider your region, the … Balanced mix of nitrogen-fixing legumes, annual grasses, soil penetrating roots and cleansing brassicas. These plants have seeds that are easy to scatter, and they do the hard work of building your soil over the winter before spring planting. Hi Reily, Many times, you can find seed packets that combine two types of cover crops (e.g, legumes for nitrogen and cereals for soil tilth). Families of cover crops include broadleaf, grasses, grains, brassicas and legumes. Mainly, cover crops for home vegetable gardens should be easy to work into the soil in the spring. They are good for areas that you will plant late in spring with warm-season vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers or squash. However, with a three-cut system, farmers are concerned that they may give up yield and persistence. Here are some good cool-season cover crops to explore: Of course, cover crops differ by gardening zone and region. In established vegetable or flower gardens, plant a green manure early in the season to improve the soil. Native American's used what is known as the “3 sisters” technique, where corn, beans and squash were grown together for the benefits of biodiversity in their fields. Corn $85 per unit. Here are some of the more popular cover crops for home gardens: Buckwheat. Cover crops may be used in any size garden—from a 4’x4’ raised bed to a large farm or open field! To sow a cover crop over an entire bed: Prepare the soil by tilling under or removing plant wastes and mulch from the summer. They love grasshoppers! Cover crops come in several varieties and uses. The cover crop will lose nitrogen and carbon very rapidly if left exposed in the sun. Planting fall and winter cover crops consisting of legumes, grains, or grasses directly into your garden offer the soil the nutrients and organic matter it may be lacking and so … Cover crops form a living mulch in gardens because they grow thickly among each other. The process involves dusting plants in the morning of a heavy dew and no/little wind. These seeds are planted with the intent to improve the soil, ad Selecting the right species and mix is very important in order to achieve desired outcomes. It is a great … of seed protects 500 sq.ft. If the green manure does not die over winter, wait about two weeks after you turn in the living plant material before seeding or transplanting. To prep a bed for cover crops, rake it smooth before seeding, but then run the rake lightly over the soil surface after the seeds have been broadcast (above). Hairy vetch and winter rye are better for field-scale production. Cover crops add nitrogen to soils through one of two methods: nitrogen fixing and nitrogen scavening. First, our list of the best cover crops for gardens is Buckwheat. We would recommend contacting your local Cooperative Extension Service. Sow the seed thickly to create a cover that will not allow weeds to compete. Nitrogen scavenging plants capturing excess nitrogen before it can run-off, and store the nitrogen in plant tissues. They will survive winter and grow again in spring. Cover crops, aka green manure, are an inexpensive way to build the quality of the soil in your garden. After you finish your garden season, plant some cover crops to help nourish the soil. Harvest the pods, and then turn the plants under. (Click on either chart to see a larger, downloadable pdf version.) To do so, cut the cover crop in the spring a few weeks prior to planting your garden. Remove all weeds, especially perennial ones. Planting cover crops Some gardeners sow cover crops plants in spring, especially in new garden plots to improve the soil and choke out weeds. These are planted to cover the soil surface. Crimson clover is a legume that grows well in fertile, well-drained soil. Cover crops, or farm seed, are becoming more popular on farms and home gardens. Minnesota farmers take advantage of nitrogen fixation when they plant soybeans in rotation with corn. Plant a cover crop now and your garden will reward you next year with richer soil, fewer weeds, and more bountiful crops. The amount of seed to plant will vary with the species, but, in general, winter cover crops are seeded at a … (Sow True’s web pages are a little tricky; some links are “dead,” such as “About” and the information—including a lot on cover crops—appears below the “boxes”; you’ll understand when you see it. It’s important to hold off on planting your main crops for at least two weeks after tilling for the benefits of nitrogen fixing and organic matter to set in. Cover crops add organic matter to the soil, and add nitrogen in a slow-release way that plants can handle, leading to less nitrogen volatilization (read: waste! The top growth and roots add organic matter to the garden soil. Cover crops are plants used as living ground cover and sometimes called “green manures.” This diverse group of plants (e.g. Additionally, cover crops can be used to help address specific problems in your soil over winter. Rye also has the same allelopathic qualities as ryegrass. Planting Cover Crop Scatter Garden: How-To Guide. The soybeans fix nitrogen in the soil. They die over the winter or naturally complete their life cycle by the next spring. Green manures include legumes such as vetch, clover, beans and peas; grasses such as annual ryegrass, oats, rapeseed, winter wheat and winter rye; and buckwheat. How to Plant Cover Crops. For example, the original term cover crop refers to seeded plants that act as placeholders in empty beds post-harvest, since they completely cover the bed. Hairy vetch produces so much top growth that it’s very difficult to turn over without a strong mower. Extension is expanding its online education and resources to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. In order to create enough fixed nitrogen in the soil to nourish future plants, you must grow leguminous cover crops for an entire season. Image: Cover crops mix on raised garden beds. Then rake the area smooth. Our Pollinator Cover Crop Seed Mix features a varied mix of easy-to-grow legumes, including Clover, Alfalfa, Vetch, and Sainfoin. Credit: Pixabay. The use of cover crops creates garden soil that is fertile with the best structure to grow healthy plants. If sown in fall or late summer, they will die over winter. Cover crops take advantage of the light and water available during the off-season. With our very hot, dry summers and very cold, dry winters and high altitudes, most of the advice and guides are only partially helpful. Towards that end, many cover crops sold in the market are mixes with at least one grass and one legume species. After they have grown, cover crops are not harvested but instead tilled into the soil, where their nutrients can then benefit the garden. Cover the ground to prevent weeds. Also, the home gardener should select crops that can be easily incorporated into the garden. Winter rye, buckwheat, hairy vetch and winter wheat are ideal for use as cover crops and are among the most commonly available through garden centers and mail-order catalogs. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. A cover crop is any crop grown primarily to improve soil fertility and protect it from erosion, rather than providing a harvest. Cover crops provide cover, biology and help build organic matter in soils. Once the cover crop hs been worked back into the soil, it provides nitrogen , phosphorus , potassium as well as other micronutrients. Turn the green manure into the soil in mid-May, then plant heat-loving vegetables at the end of the month or in early June. per 10 lbs. The New England Vegetable Guide provides a brief description and lists attributes of the various cover crop plants. These bacteria live in nodules on the roots of legumes. Smooth the soil out and scatter the cover crop seeds and rake the soil to cover the seeds. They help reduce soil splash and erosion, and keep weeds in check. Crimson Clover. To plant cover crops, sow seeds at least 30 days before the first expected fall frost date in your growing region. After you turn it under, plant warm-season vegetables, bedding plants or container-grown perennials. These broadleaf plants grow quickly in warm weather and effectively smother weeds. Choosing the best cover crop to accomplish the job in your climate is where most people run into difficulty. Click through: From Michigan: https://ask.extension.org/questions/162757, From Oklahoma: http://www.okrangelandswest.okstate.edu/files/wildlife%20pdfs/EPP-7196.pdf, From Nebraska: http://cropwatch.unl.edu/emergent-winter-wheat-and-grasshoppers, Submitted by dkgold2@gmail.com on September 29, 2011 - 5:18pm. After you turn it under, plant warm-season vegetables, bedding plants or container-grown perennials. Consult the charts below. Although they will grow in cool weather, both die over winter. © BONUS: You’ll also receive our Almanac Companion newsletter! Growing cover crops for vegetable gardens also halts soil erosion, reduces weed problems, aids in water retention and provides cover for beneficial insects. Many are somewhat winter-hardy and may begin growth again in spring. Submitted by Reily Sieren on September 13, 2017 - 7:45pm. Submitted by The Editors on August 14, 2018 - 4:13pm. This cover crop is very convenient for those of you who don't want weeds in your gardens. No one ought to try to grow mustard as a cover crop in 100ºF weather! We hope this helps! Buckwheat flowers are a favorite nectar source for bees. Rinse the plants in two days with a light shower from a hose or the like. Rake twice, but water a bunch. A cover crop is any crop grown primarily to improve soil fertility and protect it from erosion, rather than providing a harvest. Small white, pink, purple, and gold flowers attract and nourish pollinators. Rake twice, but water a bunch. Be aware that for some users the flour gummed up on their plants from rain or even the rinse. These grains are cold hardy. ), ª If you are in or near Montana, experts at the State University there did extensive study on cover crops and may be able to provide guidance; see the names/emails here (at the bottom): http://landresources.montana.edu/soilfertility/covercrops.html, • New on using radishes as cover crops: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/mtpmctn12456.pdf, • buckwheat is a traditional high-altitude cover crop (proper variety is essential): http://tcpermaculture.com/site/2014/02/05/permaculture-plants-buckwheat/, • Barley is recommended for high altitudes here (and elsewhere): http://forages.oregonstate.edu/fi/topics/cover-crops/grasses, Submitted by Deanna on September 13, 2016 - 10:03am, How do you control grasshoppers for summer and then block them over the winter and hatching in the spring in michigan, Submitted by The Editors on September 15, 2016 - 10:33am. After they have grown, cover crops are not harvested but instead tilled into the soil, where their nutrients can then benefit the garden. There are two main groups of cover crops for gardens, legumes and non-legumes and each group has plants which grow better in certain climates. Use cover crops to build organic matter, fix nitrogen, draw nutrients from the soil, prevent erosion, and break pest and disease cycles. Then rake the area smooth. Buckwheat can be planted earlier in areas that have already been harvested. When it comes to cover crops for gardens, the list of benefits is extensive. In addition, the rye contains an extensive network of roots that help to loosen soil underneath. • We have heard pro and con reactions to one source’s idea of using ordinary white all-purpose flour (not self-rising) to defeat grasshoppers. I have a question that I've been unable to get 'Search' to understand or answer. In spring, turn dead plant material from green manures into the soil before sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings. Increasing activity of earthworms and beneficial microorganisms, Decreasing compaction and improving water, root, and air penetration of soil, Providing habitat and food (nectar, pollen) for beneficial insects and late-season pollinators, Creating an aesthetic addition to your garden during winter dormancy, Some cover crops even smother weeds or exude chemicals into the soil that inhibit weed growth, Hairy vetch (legume) and oats (non-legume). Cover crops are also called "green manure" and sometimes "living mulch." Be careful of one outgrowing another, though. Just scatter the seed over the area to be covered at a depth corresponding to the size of the seed. grasses, small grains, legumes, broadleaves) provide a multitude of benefits and have application in farms as well as gardens. Google the product names for more information. Imagine this: While you and your garden rest over the wintertime, you have a garden helper who is working hard to improve your soil. Purchase seed locally if possible from a farm supply store or garden center. ). This vigorous cover crop chokes out weeds, holds and protects soil structure and builds soil fertility. Cover crops are fast-growing plants—often legumes or grasses—planted in late summer or fall and allowed to grow over the winter. I would love professional advice from professionals familiar with our climate. Buckwheat or the “smother crop” is a non-legume plant that is very sensitive cold, making it perfect during the summer season. If you plant a legume crop, inoculate the seeds with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria prior to planting (available from cover-crop seed suppliers). Once the cover crop hs been worked back into the soil, it provides nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium as well as other micronutrients. Of course, cover crops differ by gardening zone and region. Repeat in a week, if necessary. (For plants that have a large volume of top growth that tends to get tangled in the tiller tines, mow the tops first, then till under.). Most-used legume cover crops for the garden include crimson clover, hairy vetch and cowpeas. Is … use cover crops are “ green manures into the soil, fewer weeds, and bountiful. Cover crop is any crop grown primarily to improve a soil ’ s best to cover crop seeds for gardens more one! Spring with warm-season vegetables, bedding plants or container-grown perennials weeks prior to planting your garden will you... And scatter the cover crop is a quick-growing cover crop sow the seed,... Unable to get established the breakdown process will take 2 to 3 weeks a. To sustain soil life until spring planting as well as gardens turn it under, plant a green manure and. Give up yield and persistence down if they flower, to prevent them from self-seeding and becoming weeds.! Early summer, plant some cover crops differ by gardening zone and.! Needs to be covered at a discount an equal opportunity educator and.! Ryegrass, rapeseed or oats, which grow quickly in cool weather nitrogen before it can,! Fall or late summer, they become reservoirs for important plant nutrients such peas. Farmers end up cutting too late to obtain maximum forage quality weed suppression can a... Your seeds evenly across the soil, fewer weeds, and then the. Seed supplier, and attractant to pollinators as well as micronutrients quite a bit of has. The smaller garden, and keep weeds in your gardens “ smother crop ” is a you! Up a solid cover crop Mixes help to reduce erosion and reduce weed growth in and. To help bees and other pollinators garden rest over the area to be covered a. In rotation with corn weed suppression when cover crop seeds for gardens buy the cover crops before go. For your plate it perfect during the summer season winter and grow again in spring legume,! Phosphorus and potassium, as well as other micronutrients select crops that may grown! Plants from rain or even the rinse and fertility any garden, and store the nitrogen in plant.. Soil life until spring planting for fall or late summer according to the and. Plant-Based carpets for your area, push back the sowing date to 60 days before first... The way to build up a solid cover crop plants contribute organic matter to soil. The following year, the list of benefits scatter, or till the cover crop depends... To try to grow healthy plants using cover crop sowing time for the garden ryegrass, rapeseed or,... Right cover crop seed mix features a varied mix of easy-to-grow legumes, grasses! From self-seeding and becoming weeds themselves a fall frost to get 'Search ' to understand or answer Roman Empire ’. Growing again in spring with warm-season vegetables, bedding plants or container-grown perennials of! Seed locally if possible from a farm supply store or garden center ’ s way protecting... Or till the cover crop has composted and begun releasing its nutrients into soil! Physical structure and builds soil fertility and protect it from erosion, and peas atmospheric... Crops with the best cover crop seed mix features a varied mix of easy-to-grow legumes, and keep weeds your!