Guy above does organic farming in Wisconsin
Source for bulk covercrop purchasing in Iowa
http://www.elkmoundseed.com/cover-crop-seed/
This set of search returns on green cover crop chop & drop provides the how, why and what of green manures
https://www.google.com/search?q=green+cover+crops+chop+and+drop&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-ab&gfe_rd=cr&ei=f4_OV_64CqqyhAahuKXAAg
- I know you have water issues, so look for drought tolerant green
cover crops that you can cut and drop back down - the practice helps
preserve moisture, builds up the soil, creates habitat for beneficial
insects and feeds the veggies and fruits. You should try daikon and
mustard to start then throw in some clovers (clover holds up well with
being walked on so you could grow in the spaces between your planted
areas) - these plants are dynamic-accumulators and when put back on the
soil will release nutrients. Within one year you will see a huge
difference in soil quality and water retention and insect management.
This article discusses "Masanobu Fukuoka, who used cover crops to
revegetate desertified, broad-acre landscapes. (Check out his book
Sowing Seeds in the Desert.)"
http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/cover-crops-building-soil-the-natural-way-zbcz1512.aspx
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I
forgot, cover crops help repress weeds. Rye grass in particular puts
off a chemical that stops seeds from sprouting when chopped/dropped. I'm
using lolium multiflorum successfully - chop & drop before it goes
to seed, or, some areas, let it go to seed to perpetuate seed
production. It's a really nice, soft, sweet grass - good for lying on.
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