Trying something new this year! Fall Rye cover crop from West Coast Seeds - Rye is a soil builder. This cereal grain grows quickly in the fall and survives winter weather even in zone 3. It bursts into growth in the spring so try to turn under or cut back before it reaches 30cm (12″). It is harder to turn under when it is 1m (3′) tall. Extensive roots loosen topsoil and improve drainage. Plant Fall Rye cover crop seeds in mid September for best results, but fall rye will germinate as late as early November. Seed no deeper than 5cm (2″).

 Benefits:Cereal rye produces several compounds in its plant tissues and releases root exudates that apparently inhibit germination and growth of weed seeds. These allelopathic effects, together with cereal rye's ability to smother other plants with cool weather growth, make it an ideal choice for weed control.Tilled under is excellent mulch and prevents soil erosion.

 https://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/winterrye.html

 Nutrient catch crop. Rye is the best cool-season cereal cover for absorbing unused soil N. It has no taproot, but rye’s quick-growing, fibrous root system can take up and hold as much as 100 lb. N/A until spring, with 25 to 50 lb. N/A more typical (422). Early seeding is better than late seeding for scavenging N Rye increases the concentration of exchangeable potassium (K) near the soil surface, by bringing it up from lower in the soil profile

http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/Managing-Cover-Crops-Profitably-3rd-Edition/Text-Version/Nonlegume-Cover-Crops/Cereal-Rye 

#covercrop #fallrye #nutrientcatchcrop #mulch #westcoastseeds