What are the pros and cons of cover crops as opposed to leaf mulches?
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. Advantages of a leaf mulch over cover crops: • 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
