Plant Winter Cover Crops; it isn't too late!

Not planning on growing anything else in your garden this November? Think again.

 There is still time to plant Winter Cover Crops in many areas including Portland, Oregon, USDA Garden-Hardiness zone 8b. These hardy crops give the soil in your garden the protection and nutrients it will need to be ready for spring planting.

Field of Red Clover, at Oregon State University

There are several variates of Winter Cover Crops that will flourish in your garden over winter; when spring comes and cover crops are "turned under, – tilling or hoeing them into the soil where they decompose quickly".-their precious nitrogen will be released into the soil making it rich for the next crops that are planted.

Fava Bean plant

"There are four main categories of cover crops: grasses, other non-legumes, legumes, and mixtures. Examples of non-legume cover crops are: Rye, Oats, Wheat, Forage turnips, and Buck wheat. Examples of legume cover crops are: Clovers, Hairy Vetch, Field peas, and Alfalfa."   

http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/winter-cover-crops

Soil without anything planted in it can be stripped of nitrogen by harsh winter rain and snow. Cover crops act as a canopy shielding soil from precipitation. Besides, replenishing nitrogen,  cover crops also release other nutrients and microorganisms into soil, prevent erosion, attract earth worms, and pollinating insects-all good stuff for gardens!

Winter cover crops grow in most parts of the country, and can still be planted this late in the season. The gardening experts at Portland Nursery, Portland Or, recommend planting: fava beans, annual rye and  crimson clover cover crop seeds right now (November 7, 2012.)
Check with your local organic gardening center or nursery for more information and availability.

Photo credits:
smallfarms.oregonstate.edu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicia_faba