KC Permaculture Extension Bulletin # C100 August 2015 Author: Steve Mann

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Winter Cover Crops for Kansas City Area

Cover crops, also known as green manures, are one of the cornerstones of ecologically sound agriculture. Cover crops provide outstanding benefits for the soil, crop and grower (1).

The use of cover crops embodies the permaculture principles (2) of stacking of functions (Table 1), and capture and store energy, the production of biomass using solar energy.

Table 1 Cover Crop Functions Increasing organic matter content Increasing earthworm and beneficial microorganism activity Increasing the soil's plant-available Nitrogen Scavenge nutrients Stabilizing the soil to prevent erosion Bringing minerals to the surface for other crops (dynamic accumulators) Providing habitat, nectar & pollen for beneficial insects Improving water, root and air penetration in the soil Increasing the soil's moisture-holding capacity Choking out weeds Breaking up subsoil/clay/hardpan Reducing populations of pest organisms Providing aesthetic value and color Developed from : Managing Cover Crops Profitably 2012 SARE

Figure 1 cereal rye, hairy vetch and Daikon radish (3 way mix)

KC Permaculture Extension Bulletin # C100 August 2015 Author: Steve Mann

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In our region a good general winter cover crop mix would be:

• Cereal rye - biomass, nitrogen savaging and deep root, • Hairy vetch - N-fixing, soil conditioning, biomass, insectory • Dakon radish – Alleviate compaction, nutrient scavenger, biomass, weed

suppressor

You can add these for increased diversity and resilience:

• Crimson clover - N fixing weed suppressor, nurse crop, biomass, insectory • Subterranean clover- N fixing weed suppressor, mulch, insectory

Figure 2 Daikon radish and Winter wheat

Some seed available locally at garden centers or online at https://greencoverseed.com/, http://www.groworganic.com/ and other sources.

Plant - August to October, radish mid August to mid September

Cover crop interactive chart at http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=20323

1. Bowman, G., Shirley, C. and Cramer, C. 1998 Managing cover crops profitably. Sustainable Agriculture Network handbook series book 9

2. https://treeyopermacultureedu.wordpress.com/chapter-8-soils/cover-cropping/