July is well under way. Most of the planting is done in the garden, and we are slowly transitioning into harvest season. Garlic is coming out of the beds, and we are direct seeding second rounds of beans, squash, and cucumbers. Although this heat may be slowing us down, now's the perfect time to start thinking about what’s next, both for your crops and your soil.
One of the easiest ways to support healthy soil (and save yourself some weeding later) is by planting cover crops. Whether you’re putting a bed to rest for a few weeks, companion planting, or planning ahead for fall, cover cropping adds organic matter, feeds soil life, and keeps weeds in check. And you don’t need a tractor or acres of land to get started, this is a tool that works just as well in raised beds as it does for row crops.
If you’re not sure where to begin, something like our SummerMax blend is a great place to start. It’s a warm-season mix of buckwheat, cowpeas, and sorghum sudangrass that grows fast and does a little of everything; building soil, fixing nitrogen, shading out weeds, and breaking up compaction. If you’ve just pulled your garlic and aren’t quite ready to plant again, SummerMax will fill in the gap and give back to the bed while it rests.
For an even quicker option, buckwheat is hard to beat. It germinates fast, flowers in under a month, and smothers weeds before they get going. It’s a favorite for beds between plantings or anywhere you want to boost pollinators and soil health without much effort.
You can also pair cover crops with active veggies to feed, suppress weeds, and cool soil. Cow peas or crimson clover work beautifully in companion plantings, especially with heavy feeders like corn, tomatoes, or winter squash. It’s the same principle as a Three Sisters garden, let one plant feed the soil while the others feed you. And for heavy clay or compacted beds, daikon radish is a living soil buster, sending deep taproots down to open things up and pull nutrients toward the surface.
Plus sowing is simple! Just scatter the seeds over bare soil (no precision needed), you can rake them in, but most often we just broadcast and water. No fancy tools or exact spacing—just let nature take it from there. You can even toss a light layer of straw on top to hold moisture and help the seeds settle in.
We’ve got a strong lineup of summer-friendly options in stock, including our Beneficials Blend, Iron & Clay Cowpeas, Mustard, and more. Available online and in-store. If you’re planting a fall garden or just want to improve your soil while keeping weeds down, now’s the time to get your cover crops in.
Browse the full collection at thefarmconnectionmadco.com/collections/cover-crops, or swing by the shop and we’ll help you find the right seed for your beds.