Rob Last, Horticulture Extension Agent
October can be a fantastic time to establish cover crops regardless of whether you are a home gardener or a commercial grower.
Cover crops have several benefits to the soil through raising the organic matter. Granted, raising organic matter can take time to achieve. The use of cover crops can aid in reducing erosion by covering the soil, providing interception of precipitation, slowing water movement over the soil surface, and allowing for better water retention by the soil. Additionally, cover crops can capture remaining nutrients from the previous crop, reducing losses to the environment and, in the case of legumes, can also fix nitrogen, reducing nutrient applications to the next crop. Finally, covering the soil can reduce weed emergence through crop competition.
Cover crops fall into different categories, such as biomass crops, legumes, or biofumigants; these can be either hardy or susceptible to frost kill. Frost-killed cover crops can be beneficial to allow for the no-till establishment of the spring crop.
See Carolina Farm Stewardship Considerations for fall cover crops on the website. For more information refer to HGIC Factsheet 1252, Cover Crops on the website.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status, and is an equal opportunity employer.
