Organic Cool Season Soil Building Cover Crop

Our Cool-Season Cover Crop Seed Mix is the ultimate way to protect and enrich your soil during fall and winter. By planting a cool-season cover crop, you add nitrogen, improve soil structure, suppress weeds, and prepare your garden beds for abundant spring planting. Whether you are gardening in a backyard plot or managing a small farm, this cover crop mix is a natural and sustainable way to build healthy soil.

Our Soil Building Mix contains:

Bell Beans, Peas, Vetch, and Oats. It does not contain Ry,e, which is an uncontrollable weed in Southern California gardens.

 Planting in Zones 9 and 10

In Zones 9 and 10, cool-season cover crops can be planted from September through February once summer crops are removed. The mild winters of these regions allow cover crops to grow easily making them a great investment in your garden.

Planting in  Zone 4-8

In cooler regions like  Zones 4 through 8, the best time to plant a cover crop is late summer through early fall, giving it enough time to establish before frost. Many cool-season cover crops are hardy enough to overwinter and resume growth in spring, making them an excellent choice for soil improvement in colder climates.

Planting Cover Crops

To plant your cover crop seed mix, begin by removing any spent summer crops and lightly preparing the soil surface. Broadcast the seeds evenly across the bed and rake them in so they are buried about half an inch to one inch deep. Water well and keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds germinate. Once established, a cover crop requires minimal care. One pound of seed will cover approximately 500 square feet, making this mix suitable for both small gardens and larger growing spaces. Cover crops should not be left to go to seed. Cover crops should be incorporated back into the soil 3-6 weeks after planting when they are young and tender.  This adds organic matter to the soil. This process can be repeated several times in a cool season.

Growing Cover Crops

Cool-season cover crops grow best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. As they mature, they form a living mulch that shades out weeds, prevents erosion, and adds valuable organic matter to the soil. In early spring, before your cover crop begins to flower, chop and drop the plants directly onto the soil or till them in. Incorporating your cover crop at this stage maximizes nitrogen fixation and organic matter, ensuring your soil is rich and ready for spring planting.

Southern California Pro Tips

In Southern California, planting cover crops is one of the most effective ways to keep your soil alive and thriving year-round. Seed your cover crop mix as soon as summer crops are finished so your beds are never left bare. Water consistently through the fall until seasonal rains arrive, and for the best results, add a layer of compost before planting. Plan to cut down your cover crop in early spring, usually between March and April, before it sets seed. This timing allows the cover crop to break down quickly and release nutrients right when your soil needs them most.