Cover Crops - How To Use Them In Permaculture Gardens And Regenerative Agriculture

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

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[@carolynsteele5116]

I watch a lot of KZbin gardening videos and hear all the time about cover crops but never understood the concept till now! You’re such a great teacher! Thank you! I’ve been using the planting methods you demonstrate with the planting soil placed right on top of the mulch litter and the straw...have fantastic results!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

So awesome Carolyn, thanks for the kind words and support. Glad to help!

[@dr.froghopper6711]

I mix Daikon radish, red, white, crimson and yellow sweet clover, oats and barley. Sometimes I toss in sugar beets and turnips too. Planted late August, they have time to get established before any winter kill happens.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Perfect!

[@mindrenewal7657]

Im grateful thankful God blessed my garden and yard altogether. So healthy.

[@Chicagogrl]

Wow! Your videos are comprehensive and represent the best current knowledge out there for gardeners that want to get serious. You answered a lot of my questions about how to improve my container gardens in just this and your mulch videos. Thank you!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey thanks for that...happy to help and glad you liked! :-)

[@kikigamble4315]

Hi. Soo, will you do a part 2 on this rye, cover crop. Does it die back naturally? Do you have to cut it down to soil level in the spring before planting? Nice reasoning on the need for cover groups. Peace to you and yours

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers kiki. Yes, in the spring you just chop and drop the blades like mowing a lawn. Cut it right down at the root collar and plant right on top! Super easy, but I'll be doing a video on that for sure.

[@karlgorman8284]

I swear yo god you're videos are deadly so easy to listen too you've got information and tips thar help anyone with gardening thank you...

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Karl, much appreciated!! :-)

[@KerriEverlasting]

I love how you keep updating these play lists. Each time I shuffle a list, it begins with the same video so I end up watching the first few many times and the last few I don't see until you change the lists and it gives me different starting videos. Also you have a nice voice, easy on the ears. Keep up the great work 💖

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much for the support Kerri.....we'll be coming up on 500 videos soon! :-o

[@GreenLove1]

Fantastic video. I grew winter rye last year, and had a few issues after they started growing. First I was growing them on a thin layer of soil over clayey soil. The ground underneath was too hard for the tender roots to penetrate successfully. To add additional trauma, my majestic California Oak Trees dumped a thick layer of leaves on top on them and smothered them. I need to try again after the leaves have dropped. It's a good thing they can sprout in cold weather (like you have in Canada!). This year I am growing chickpea as a cover crop - they are sturdier and can handle the leaves which also act as a great mulch. Thanks for anothrr great video! Loved the way you built up the excitement prior to the Premiere.👍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

That's too bad! I've had some success with the cover crop eventually breaking up the hard pan underneath, but it needs time. Once it grows bigger and more robust, it can send down thicker tap roots to work on that clay. Chickpeas sounds awesome! I want to try those as a spring cover crop! Let me know how they work out for you!!

[@janicealderson4329]

I think i will rake the straw off and then sow and cover again as i have big outside beds so cant use more soil.! I didn't realise the density - so thanks for that!

[@shorty8256]

Wow incredible video....I think I will do the cover crop next year, because tropical storm ruin my garden and I just covered it up wish I had watched this earlier....but there is always next year going forward your cover crop really look healthy and beautiful....thank you so much for the valuable information I intend to implement it next year...your videos are awesome and informational... I really enjoy them and always learn something new from them...all the best from NY!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Awesome, thanks for watching!! Definitely do give it a try. Especially in replacement of a bed simply going dormant for x-period of time! Cheers!

[@robingw2615]

I never heared of cover crop But I maby gone try it some time Great video

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Its transformative dude. It can really recharge your soils...I try to cover crop each bed at least every second year!

[@Donna_G]

Many years ago, when I was a student at the university, we signed up for a plot to garden in on university property. There were some disadvantages. We had to haul our own water in. At the time, the university did not have an irrigation system set up. But, it was recommended to us by the maintenance guy who took care of the area of student housing that we were in to plant some annual rye grass after all of our veggies were done. He said the same thing that you talked about in the video. Of course, when I had my community garden plot by the church, I had forgotten all about that tip.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

So awesome Donna...its a tried and true practice that really has regenerative written all over it.....it just WORKS! :-)

[@lispottable]

You are a great teacher! Thank you!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Lisa, appreciate that! :-)

[@OakKnobFarm]

I really wanted to try cover crops this year, but I'm totally out of compost now. Hopefully next year I'll have enough left over in fall!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I hear you man. I tried a couple of bare beds with just a skim coat of potting mix, no extra compost.....boom, they exploded with sprouts!

[@richards5110]

Nice video! Insane planting density on that rye! I've had nice lush beds with maybe 200-250 lb/acre rate (2-2.5 grams per sq ft). still about one plant per inch.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Richard! I'd never plant it like that for a crop....but as a cover crop to choke out weeds and to bind the soil over the wettest months.....it works AMAZINGLY! Love the stuff. Cover crops are a soil saver!

[@gazellecarlson6543]

sweet....going to try this cover crop ..omg..better late than never

[@jewelerjef]

cover crops explained so well.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks! Glad you liked!

[@craigsuccee3404]

Great video. I was planning on experimenting with cover crops this year. I made a point of ordering the seed with my winter seed order, so I have them on hand as soon as my crops are harvested. Looking forward to your spring video on terminating and bed prep. Cheers bro!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Craig! Cover crops really are amazing and they way they condition and revitalize your soils is second to none. I plan on doing not only the cut-and-drop video for the fall cover crops, but also full coverage of quick spring cover crops as well. So valuable.

[@1964_AMU]

I use a shredding machine to ground all my roses, bux and other decorative wood cuts, it can be used directly as compost. In Europe, "Luzerne" is preferred as cover crop.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Nice Anna, that sounds like a great mulch!!

[@louiseahrens5575]

Also, I just wanted to say how intrigued I was that you were using cover crops in your garden. We do this on a larger scale growing corn and soybeans. It is fitting for a garden. Did not make that connection myself, dah…

[@robindebacker]

I just discovered your channel and love your knowledge and explanations. Thank you! My question: I want to plant a fall garden. How late can I start the cover crop?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Robin! It really depends on your zone and climate. As a rule, usually about 2 weeks BEFORE your first fall frost date is safe. 🙂

[@peacefulgarden]

I've been waiting for this!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha ha, so have my gardens Suzanne!

[@gardengargoyle4374]

Thanks for this video! Just the info I needed!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers breanna, thanks for watching!

[@mindrenewal7657]

Grear tips

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@akey3485]

Do basically all you're saying to plant a cover crop. Can you also include pros and cons of different cover crops and what to do with them in spring when we would want to plant our beds. Discuss the different benefits of rye, oats, no till radishes, gold or yellow mustard, hairy vetch, etc. Thanks.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I don't see a con with cover crop. Literally none. The cost maybe? But for these four 8 foot by 4 foot beds, it was less than $10 in seeds. In the spring, I'll do another tutorial on how to deal with the crop, which is really very easy. Chop, drop, sheet mulch, plant....that's about it! There's MANY cover crops.....Fall Rye is applicable now for my area due to its frost tolerance.

[@orxideyah]

Thank you so much for the great tip ! So is there a difference between Fall rye and Winter rye seeds ?

[@cw2126]

What do you do after its grown. How do you get rid of it come spring? I am new to this 👍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey C W, thanks for watching. Come the spring, or slightly before, you just cut the whole bed down, right at the surface, and plant right on top of it. No tilling, no digging. Just plant your spring crops right on top and away you go, weed free, with a supercharged soil!

[@tracyleal2609]

What do you do in spring? How do you clear bed with out messing up soil?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ask...and yee shall receive.....: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWrVeKyBo7eoqaM

[@spear4food636]

I have been thinking of doing this but how do you deal with the cover crop before planting veg in the spring ? Thanks

[@erbauungstutztaufgnade1875]

Great video, thank you.

[@lorenamain7481]

What did you do afterwards? How do you prepare your flower beds for spring planting? Do you remove the cover crop?

[@palliaskamen5722]

I use radish, clover and mustard on my 8'x10' garden. I cut it down with a hoe.

[@aeastman59]

this is helpful... Im thinking of planting buckwheat this fall... but Im still not sure what we do in the spring - I would just cut the buckwheat down and put my seedlings in on top of the cut buckwheat? wouldnt the buckwheat (or rye) start growing back? I thought it was supposed to be cut then turned over somehow? thank you

[@munirasultana2313]

Loved the video 💟

[@betsylewis9432]

So how do I use the bed with rye in the spring for planting if it has a cover crop on it?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

You cut it down and plant like your normally would: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWrVeKyBo7eoqaM

[@thereserioux2178]

Most interesting way of enriching the soil. Can cover crops be used in zone 5a ? The first frost is usually around mid October and we get snow around November. In the spring, we have snow until late April.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely Therese! Crops like Fall Rye are designed to germinate in very low temperatures and tolerate frost very very well. Your area is PERFECT for cover crops!

[@thereserioux2178]

Would barley or oats work the same? I have some on hand but not rhye. Also, is it too late now? We had a light snow today but it melted, it won't be long before the ground is covered. Should I wait next year to do it? Thank you so much for your advice, you are very knowledgeable.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@thereserioux2178 I would go with the fastest germinating one... The one that sprouts the quickest will be the best one to try at this time!

[@AAHomeGardening]

Thank you so much, will try this

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on, best of luck! :-)

[@AAHomeGardening]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thanks

[@GottabKD777]

I have so many questions and don’t expect you’ll have all the answers. I’ve been watching a lot of videos on cover crops lately, and will try them next year in one bed, but no videos really address the winters we have in Alberta. We just received between 30-60 cm (1-2’) of snow yesterday and prior to that the ground had already frozen hard and then thawed, now frozen again. Do you know if living roots still benefit the soil in this case? Carbon capture and root exudates are some of the greatest benefits, but do these processes continue in frozen snow covered ground? Wouldn’t the rye die off when the ground freezes. Do the benefits continue into spring in my case specifically? I haven’t seen any farmers using cover crops in my area, and I think it’s due to our weather.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yep, they would totally still benefit. You just need to get them in earlier. 3-4 weeks of growth can still do amazing things for the soil. And then if a massive freeze kills it off, mulch the bed and Bob's you uncle until spring. But all of the benefits won't disappear after the soil freezes. If anything, I would hazard that a growing, living mulch like a cover crop would have MORE benefit in Alberta's climate than in a milder climate like mine in BC.

[@grandpoobah100]

Great video. You only use Fall Rye? No nitrogen fixers (legumes) like Vetch or Peas ?

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Thanks 🌎

[@carolrichardson2824]

So how would one cut the rye grass in garden beds 3' wide, 30' long. Can't chop and drop that by hand. Not sure lawn mower would cut low enough. Dought it would be good for the blade. Weed eater? Seems like it would be really hard to plant garden seeds into this in the spring. I want to have a cover crop but not sure what the planting surface will be.

[@mikhailshafeev9384]

Hi from Ukraine! Thank - it was informative and clear! However - I have one question - the rye will be growing fast next spring... what to du with it? Just cut and leave the roots inside the soil?

[@citybarbs5563]

I am trying a combo of oats and hairy vetch this year. Before this, I've only grown oats and rye for my cat!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Nice!! Oats is my next one! Best of luck! :-)

[@janisterrell8918]

So in the spring, do I pull up all the dead rye? Till them under?

[@jetryan624]

Once you have a cover crop in if you are doing no till; how do you then process at when it's time to plant in the Spring/Summer?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

You harvest it right before the seeding stage. The cover crop then becomes spent, so it won't regrow (like grass), but it also won't spread seeds like a weed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWrVeKyBo7eoqaM

[@jada1230]

Jeff do you have any insights on edible cover crops?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Alfalfa......for sure!!! My only issue is the cold tolerance. Fall Rye can be planted while its actually below freezing!

[@jada1230]

we can eat rye?

[@esamsuboh]

What should we do with it in the spring ?

[@lisalaufenberg4281]

In spring do you remove the cover crop before planting? Or dig it into the soil? I've watched several videos on this subject but no one has addressed this question that I have found.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Lisa, it's all here..... Just cut it down: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWrVeKyBo7eoqaM

[@mindofmadness5593]

Been considering Winter Rye but have a couple of questions-is this the same Rye used for animal feed, bread and whiskey?

[@shineyrocks390]

I used red russian kale for a cover. Of course nothing germinated yet because as soon as I seeded and put a heavy layer of straw over it, it snowed about one foot of snow. I'm hoping for a early spring kale crop. It's snowing again today and winter has come to my mountains. Will the kale sprout and grow this spring? In your experience or opinion do you think it will? Either way the seed was cheap I got 5lb bag of it for $13.00 I am curious to see what happens in spring with this kale.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Nice! That will be interesting... I don't see why it wouldn't sprout. Could be a great cover AND source of microgreens in the spring!

[@BarbaraShafferIsagenix]

What about perennials? I haven't started yet but I love the concept of cover crops... In permaculture isn't the focus on perennials? Do cover crops play a role there?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

In the case of perennials, I use cover crops as a mulch... But not to regenerate or protect a dormant bed.

[@ferferiify]

Brilliant 👍👍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks fery! Cheers!

[@marycampbell4160]

Awesome tips

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Mary, and thanks for watching! :-)

[@roadmap5351]

Do you till in or pull up the cover crop in the spring?

[@AMonikaD]

Hi! ....so what do you do with it come spring time? Wheat continues to grow in spring, rye doesn't?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey there, thanks for watching. I just chop, drop the foliage, sheet mulch with brown paper, then direct seed or transplant right on top. SUPER easy.

[@AMonikaD]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thanks so much, so after you put brown paper, you add a layer of soil? You can't seed onto paper? Transplants, do you poke a hole and insert? I still don't get it. No video ever explains and shows actually shows what to do after.

[@louiseahrens5575]

What other series are you doing on KZbin?

[@MK-ye1wj]

How do you use cover crops like the with plants like garlic that are best planted in fall. Will the cover crop choke them out too?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Max, great question. Cover Crops are used for EMPTY beds that are going to be left dormant. You don't use Cover Crops (generally) with other crops. They meant to do just that....cover empty beds. Cheers!

[@MK-ye1wj]

Thank you

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@MK-ye1wj No worries, happy gardening!

[@jada1230]

Jeff what happens after winter, do we need to cut this crop off before spring planting ? thx

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

If its really cold where you live, it may die off on its own, if not, a simple chop and drop in March/April is easy enough. Leave the foliage right there in the bed and plant right on top! It really works and is so low maintenance!

[@BrentwoodBarberShop]

Is it too late to plant rye on the peninsula? December 5th.

[@leelowefreespirit]

Wondering if the cover crop is perennial or needs yearly planting

[@cindywanvig5558]

How do I rid my soil of this cover crop in the spring so I can plant my new years crops?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Cindy....ask and yee shall receive: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWrVeKyBo7eoqaM

[@jamessteffens8337]

How do you distribute seeds if your garden is 100 x 100. Thanks jim80

[@lucygarrick]

So do you just let the cover crop plants mature and die and then add a layer of soil before Spring planting?

[@nicholasdemarest4254]

How do you terminate the fall rye come spring? Also how long can it grow before going to seed?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

The Fall Rye shouldn't go to head until summer, well past when you would simply chop and drop in March or April. So there's no worries there.

[@cpnotill9264]

Nicholas Demarest I actually left some around and let it go to see and saved the seed for this fall. The soil was so soft and conditioned that I highly recommend using the rye cover crop. Well done video here!! 👍🌱😊

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@cpnotill9264 its amazing what it does for the soil underneath! Its literally a supercharger for the spring crops!!

[@cpnotill9264]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I so agree and please know that I so appreciate all the work and love that goes into producing your videoes. You're easy to understand and so very thorough which I love! May you have so much abundance! 👍🌱😊💚 Cover crops are the best and then there's always a living root in the ground. Grow on my friend!

[@nicholasdemarest4254]

I decided to use winter rye as a cover crop this year and only bought 5lbs. So with your seed density I would have needed 12 for my 80 Sq ft. I did 25 grams and it looks healthier than my lawn. My beds are fed with organic fertilizer and composted leaves with coffee grounds and alfalfa pellets.

[@sandragambles46]

Hi can It be used along with your fall vegetables Sandra UK

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I think you could plant it as a living mulch once your fall crops are established. It can be quite vigorous though...its designed to outcompete weeds....but for well-established Brassicas and Winter Lettuces, I don't see why not. Much better than leave the soil bare and exposed! :-)

[@sandragambles46]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thank you I’ll try that in a couple of weeks Sandra UK

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@sandragambles46 For sure Sandra. I've even sown the Fall Rye when the temperatures were freezing (but the soil wasn't). Sure enough, week or so later it sprouted!

[@godfreynwankwo4999]

Sorry I am a novice to this. When you say cover crop do you mean we don't have to kill the Rye? I mean can I jus dig a hole amongst the cover crop and transplant my tomato plant right in the midst of the cover crop?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Not exactly. In the spring, we chop the entire crop down, right to the soil level, lay down our paper barrier, and then plant right on top. The cover crop is essentially controlled and doesn't come back

[@godfreynwankwo4999]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms ok. Got it now thanks a million. 👍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@godfreynwankwo4999 No worries Godfrey, thanks for watching!

[@jean-pierreposman7282]

Borago is a verry good oen put nitogen into the soil

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely is Jean-pierre!!

[@dwoodbury]

How does the winter cover crop not become "weeds" in the spring when you want your garden back for tomatoes and lettuce and have a bunch of rye grass turning it into a lawn? I understand the benefits but how do you terminate the rye grass in the spring without applying a bunch of herbicide like conventional farmers do?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Is all her David: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWrVeKyBo7eoqaM. These grass cover crops are crazy easy to cut down and if you time it with the seeding process, it doesn't grow back and it doesn't seed itself. Hence it doesn't become a weed! :-)

[@davehughes4884]

Won’t the rye come up in the spring . I use barley because it won’t survive winter

[@Chattyman2]

I was told that when doing cover crops, avoid rye and clovers as they can be a pain to get rid of in the long run (even worse in a no dig garden as you don't dig stuff in) Is there any truth in that?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Zero truth. Fall Rye is dead easy to get rid of. Chop, drop, sheet mulch with newspaper, cardboard, or brown paper, direct seed or plant right on top, profit.

[@callmedc]

Can I do this with wheatgrass? Can't find rye seeds here

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

For sure! Seeds will be more expensive and Wheatgrass is less cold tolerant, but for sure it will work!

[@mudpiemudpie785]

How do you get rid of them for spring planting? Is it as difficult as removing grass from a lawn?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Nope, not at all difficult. Its not the same as your lawn grass, its designed for this. Simply chop and drop. That is, cut the blades down right at the soil level (root collar) and plant right over top of the cover crop. Amazingly easy and almost no work...certainly less than weeding and conditioning that bed come spring would be! :-)

[@mudpiemudpie785]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thanks. I hope you will consider doing a vid of the process come spring. I'd appreciate it. I'm a novice gardener.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@mudpiemudpie785 For sure, I 100% will. Really simple, but its so much easier to get it when you can visualize it being done. Its just a chop and drop with all the blades, then plant right on top, but the video will show it as well as explain it! Cheers!

[@alvinadam9137]

What are used in Ryagrass or cereal rye

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I use it as a cover crop.

[@sircorkysriley4904]

how about wheat for the cover crop??

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yup, wheat is great! It also doesn't die back over winter like some crops, providing even more benefits.

[@SpiceyKy]

What other choices do I have for fall cover crops? I read somewhere that mustard greens and radishes do the job too. Is that right?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Tons....! Buckwheat, Legumes, Clover, Vetch, Fava Beans, Chickpeas.....so many! Find out what works best for your climate! :-)

[@fredfrond6148]

Use a misting sprayer to water in you think water is required.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yep, exactly Fred. Anything to keep it moist and perfect until the seeds germinate and send that first root radicle downwards.

[@bernadettesullivan29]

Chop & Drop ✂️🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱✂️

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

:-)

[@Youmatter2boo]

What is your location?

[@Epiphalactic]

Jeez lol. Just so everyone knows. You don't need to lay out 2" of new soil or potting mix. Lol. Just shake them across the ground evenly. The cover of the previous stuff will provide the perfect germination conditions. If you're only doing a tiny bed like his, that's one thing. But this isn't even close to accessable for most gardeners. Grow cover crops but skip adding a crap ton of soil. Also if you truly want the most benefit do a blend of different things. you'll have benefits with just growing a monoculture but anytime you can grow a polyculture it's better. some good information in this video, just wanted to let everyone know that you don't need to go to such extreme lengths

[@MichaelRei99]

Couldn’t I just put craft paper down on top of the soil to prevent weeds?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yup...I do all the time. But a cover crop takes it even a step further...its not JUST suppressing weeds...its conditioning the soil, adding nutrients back into it, adding organic matter into the top layers.....this is the next level. Not 100% you HAVE to.....but the benefits can't be ignored.

[@SpiceyKy]

That won't get you the extra nutrients cover crops can provide over winter.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@SpiceyKy Exactly. This is the next level AFTER putting down brown paper.

[@sutikareoluwagbenga1272]

Everyone tells you how to grow your cover crop, but for a new gardener, no one tells you how to or what to do after that.

[@OldTimerGarden]

This is not a good option for southern states. The cover crop will still be growing long past the time to plant vegetables and it would need to be weeded out. Hardwood mulch is our best solution.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Well, also in the southern states, your garden beds likely aren't going to enter a state of dormancy...they'll just be moving on to the next crop. The problem with wood mulch solutions though is that they can bind up nutrients while they decompose...robbing your crops of food in the process.

[@BGmary]

What do you do with the rye grass after you grow your cover crop?