Santa Doesn’t Farm Naked! Why Cover Crops Matter

Just like Santa covers up for winter, good farmers cover up their soil! When fields (or gardens) are left bare, soil can wash or blow away and that’s bad for growing food. That’s where cover crops come in! USDA

What Are Cover Crops?

Cover crops are plants grown not to harvest, but to protect and feed the soil between seasons. They cover the ground so soil doesn’t sit “naked” and exposed. SARE

Why Cover Crops Are Awesome

• Keep Soil in Place - Cover crops protect soil from rain and wind, so it doesn’t wash away. USDA

• Improve Soil Health - Their roots help loosen soil, build soil structure, and feed soil life. SARE

• Hold & Recycle Nutrients - They take up leftover nutrients after harvest and hold them until the next crop needs them. SARE

• Reduce Weeds - A living cover crop can smother weeds before they take over. Purdue Extension

• Help Water - They improve how water soaks into the soil and help it stay there during dry spells. Purdue University Agriculture

• Feed Wildlife & Pollinators - Flowers from some cover crops give food to bees and other beneficial insects. SARE

How They Fit Together with Crop Rotation

Cover crops are often part of a rotation - this means growing different plants in a field over time to keep pests down and soil healthy. When you rotate crops and use cover crops, the soil gets a bigger health boost than if you planted the same thing year after year. USDA

So this holiday season, think of cover crops as Santa’s soil sweater! They keep the soil warm, cozy, and ready for the next big growing season. No naked fields here!