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The Renee’s Garden Cover Crop Mix is a blend of several legumes, grass, roots, and rapeseed. The legumes, Austrian Winter Peas, Fava beans and Hairy Vetch all fix nitrogen from air into their root nodules, loosen and aerate dense soil and gather deep nutrients and minerals. Winter Rye Grass has thick roots which hold the soil to prevent erosion and takes up excess nutrients in the soil. Rapeseed takes up large amounts of nutrients that would otherwise be leached out of the soil by the winter rains. When these cover crop plants are incorporated back into the soil in the spring, they break down releasing the nutrients and minerals back into the soil and add plenty of organic matter which improves the soil structure.

NOTE

Seed is packed with a larger quantity of organic rice hulls to help space seeds. Before opening, shake can thoroughly to mix together.

FORMULA MIX

Winter Rye, Hairy Vetch, Fava Bean, Rapeseed and Austrian Winter Peas.

Inert material: organic rice hulls.

WHEN TO PLANT

In Mild Winter Climates, where ground does not freeze hard, sow in late fall to over-winter for spring growth.

In Cold Winter Climates, where ground freezes hard, plant in fall for winter die back and then incorporate in spring, OR sow as early as possible in spring..

HOW TO PLANT AND GROW

Remove all weeds, grass and large stones from the planting area and break up soil clumps. Evenly loosen the top 2 inches of soil with a rake. Shake the can thoroughly before opening, then scatter contents evenly over the prepared ground, aiming for scattering the seeds 1 to 2 inches apart. Use a rake to cover the seed mixture with fine soil 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Lightly firm soil with the back of the rake and water thoroughly. Keep soil bed evenly moist while awaiting germination and while seedlings are small. Plants will grow and thrive best if watered regularly.

INCORPORATING YOUR COVER CROP

Method 1: When 5 to 6 inches tall, use a garden fork, shovel or rototiller to turn the cover crop into the ground to break down and enrich soil for planting. The breakdown process takes about a month.

Method 2: When cover crop is 1 foot tall, pull out the plants, shake off soil and then compost the plant material to incorporate it into the soil later, when it has turned into rich, finished compost. Timing depends how long your composting process takes.

Method 3: When cover crop reaches 1 to 1-1/2 feet tall, weed whack to chop it down. Cover the chopped material with black plastic to hasten decomposition, then turn the nutritious residue into the soil 2 to 3 weeks before sowing your garden crops.

NOTE

The Poppy seeds in this can are packed with a larger quantity of milled rice hulls to help space the tiny seeds when scattering.

Before opening, shake the can thoroughly to mix them together so when you cast the seeds they are spaced with room for the plants to grow.

HOW TO PLANT

In mild winter climates, where the ground does not freeze hard, poppies can be sown in late fall to overwinter for spring bloom. Or, plant as early as possible in spring, as poppies can handle light frosts and bloom longest when given a good start in cool weather.

To prepare the planting area: remove all weeds, grass and large stones. Break up soil clumps and evenly loosen the top 2 inches of soil with a digging fork or shovel, then smooth out with a flat rake.

Shake the can thoroughly before opening, then scatter the contents thinly and evenly over the prepared ground. Using your rake, cover the seed mixture 1/4 inch deep and lightly firm the soil. Water with a gentle mist thoroughly and evenly. Keep the soil moist while awaiting germination and while the seedlings are small.

GROWING NOTES

Mature poppy plants can handle dry conditions, but will thrive and bloom much longer if watered regularly. Poppies make lovely cut flowers if brought indoors just as the buds begin to open. At season’s end, let spent flowers form pods and drop seeds to bloom again the next spring.