The next part of my soil recovery plan was to plant a cover
crop, similar to what farmers do to protect the soil. I had learned more about
cover crops when I visited Oak Hill Farm in Sonoma County last fall. They use
an organic cover from Le Ballister’s Seed and Fertilizer in Santa Rosa. They
plant the cover crop in the fall, typically in October, and then mow it down and
incorporate it into the soil in February.
Farm Manager David Cooper had admonished it is important to mow before the seeds
set.
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| 100% Organic Plowdown cover crop mix. |
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| Pea, bean, barley, oat, and vetch seeds. |
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I ordered 15 pounds (the minimum shipping order) of the 100%
Certified Organic Plowdown Mix. The mix includes Magnus peas, bell beans,
barley, oats, and vetch. Many of these are in the legume family, which means
they set nitrogen. I seeded densely in my zeal, but I’m sure a seasoned farmer would
know better.
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| Seeded in. |
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| Watered in. |
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I tamped down the seeds into the soil as instructed, and then watered
in. Within a couple of weeks I was rewarded with bright green new growth, and on my way to repairing the compacted soil.
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| The cover crop emerged in October, a couple of weeks after planting. |
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