Question: What are the pros and cons of cover crops as opposed to leaf mulches?
Answer: Advantages of cover crops over a leaf mulch:
- Leaf mulch is not particularly attractive. By contrast, growing cover crops essentially allows you to have a "winter garden," providing visual interest on an otherwise drab winter landscape.
- In terms of work in the fall, cover crops are less work than mulch. All you need to do is broadcast their seed after rototilling.
- Leaf mulch is free. You'll have to pay for the seed for cover crops.
- In terms of labor in the spring, cover crops are more work than mulch. They have to be mowed.
- Note: Farmers can simply plough cover crops under. But the home landscaper, working with a rototiller, will find the rototilling goes much easier if a cover crop such as rye grass is first mowed down. For more information, see the prior FAQ on cover crops as living mulches.
