The end-of-August garden is getting crunchy. We've harvested beans and turned over beds for fall crops, and our second succession plants are growing so nicely with some cooler nights.
But what to do with empty beds and bare soil over the coming weeks? One of the best ways to protect your soil, and prepare your garden for next season, is by sowing a fall cover crop.
Cover cropping is one of the simplest ways to keep beds productive while they rest. Active, living soil is healthy soil. Living roots feed soil microbes, keep mycorrhizal networks intact, and help bind particles into stable aggregates so water can infiltrate, nutrients cycle, and biology stays lively. Keeping plants growing as much of the year as possible is a core soil-health principle, and cover crops also prevent erosion and add nutrients while they do it.
Choosing Fall Cover Crops
Barley: Early – Mid Fall
Barley establishes quickly and grows vigorously in cooler weather, making it one of the first grains to sow in fall. It provides excellent soil cover and suppresses weeds, though it is less winter-hardy than rye. Barley is best for beds you plan to turn under by early spring.
Winter Wheat: Early – Mid Fall
Wheat is a classic fall cover crop, sown once the summer crops are cleared. It germinates readily, offers dense ground cover, and protects soil through the colder months. Its fibrous roots also improve soil structure and help prevent erosion.
Austrian Winter Peas: Early – Mid Fall
A legume that fixes nitrogen, Austrian winter peas enrich the soil while also offering tender shoots that can be eaten in salads or as a garnish. They grow vigorously in fall, overwinter, and add valuable organic matter when incorporated into soil in spring.
Crimson Clover: Early Fall – Mid Fall
Crimson clover is a standout for fall cover cropping. Sow it early-mid fall, and it will germinate, establish leafy growth this season, overwinter, and then burst into bloom in spring. Its vibrant red flowers feed early pollinators, while its root nodules fix nitrogen, enriching the soil for your next crops. Crimson clover is especially well-suited for beds that will rest until spring, providing beauty, fertility, and biodiversity.
Winter Rye: Late Fall
One of the most cold-hardy cover crops, winter rye can be planted later than most other grains. It germinates in cooler soils and provides vigorous growth well into winter. Rye’s deep root system improves soil tilth, prevents erosion, and helps suppress weeds into the spring season.
Harvest / Termination Windows
- Barley – Usually terminated in late spring before it sets seed (can also be harvested for grain in late spring/early summer, but in gardens it’s typically mowed/tilled in just before the seed head emerges, or boot stage, for max biomass).
- Winter Wheat – Grows through winter, then heads out in late spring to early summer. For cover cropping, terminate before seed set (late April–May).
- Austrian Winter Peas – Can be terminated in late spring (April–May) when flowering for max nitrogen fixation. Can be grazed or harvested for forage earlier.
- Crimson Clover – Overwinters, then flowers in mid–late spring (April–May). Best terminated at early bloom to maximize nitrogen while preventing reseeding.
- Winter Rye – Extremely hardy, grows into late spring (May–June). Terminate at boot stage for biomass or allow to flower if using as mulch/weed suppression.
Fall cover crops are more than a placeholder for bare soil, they’re an investment in the long-term health and resilience of your garden. By keeping roots in the ground, you’re feeding soil life, preventing erosion, and building fertility for next season’s crops. Whether you choose the nitrogen boost of crimson clover, the hardy protection of rye, or a mix tailored to your beds, cover crops help ensure your soil stays active and productive year-round.
We have all of these fall cover crop seeds available online, as well as larger 50 lb bags for gardeners managing bigger spaces in store. Now is the time to sow for bigger yields and better harvests next season.