Basically there are main reasons I uses a cover crop (CC)
1. The early tap roots of the CC provided what I call a moisture sponge of roots that stop the top drying too fast so the bed drys evenly (difference is 2 days no CC 4 days with)
2. Those crops are N fixers, so they take nitrogen from the air and store it in proportionally large quantities. So when you "mow" or flatten the cover crops they die and release this stored nitrogen in usable form to the soil, via the decaying roots and the mulch on top.
3. It is well documented that plants living in close proximity talk to each other and can divert essential nutrients to struggling plants. But far more importantly studys have shown that when the cover crops are attacked by pests they can send a signal to the host plant and warn of the impeding problem. Pest choose host plants based on complicated hormone and bio chemical profiles and they look for plants that fit. The signal from the cover crop with cause the host plant to alter its basic chemistry to prevent infestation...
Thoughts, comments, questions all welcome, I will reply as and when if necessary but be aware Im a little shakey atm
AND or Herb,will Im sure tell me it took either 42 or 48 seconds in disgust of my inaccuracy pmsl
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