Summer Cover Crops You Can Eat

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The Urban Harvest - Homegrown Education

Күн бұрын

Cover crops are essential over the summer months in sustainable agriculture systems.Learn about 3 multi-use summer cover crops for your vegetable garden with Elise Pickett of The Urban Harvest. Using sweet potatoes, cowpea beans, & New Zealand spinach as a sustainable cover crop will protect your soil from a range of issues all while providing you with maintenance-free food over the growing season. Permaculture principles suggest we should always try to have more than one use for a plant and these three certainly fit that description! Using organic, sustainable, & budget-friendly techniques you will learn all about 3 different summer cover crops so you can grow your own productive Florida backyard vegetable garden. This easy how-to home gardening lesson will get even the beginner gardener to feel ready to grow vegetables in Florida.
0:00 Summer Cover Crops for Vegetable Gardens
0:35 Benefits of Cover Crops
1:28 Sweet Potatoes as a Cover Crop
3:00 Cowpeas as a Cover Crop
4:19 New Zealand Spinach as a Cover Crop
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Пікірлер: 86

@henerylalli3891 4 жыл бұрын

I do a lot of searching for Fl. gardening information and I am happy to say, I have found a home. Sorry I took so long. You are the best in disseminating very accurate information with a terrific manner of presentation, please stay active and thank you very much!

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

Welcome home! Thanks for that, I'm trying my best to share as much information as possible!

@mylittletropicgardenflorid9877 2 жыл бұрын

Look how long it took me! So glad to find this channel! Don’t know why FB algorithm did not suggest earlier! ????? Awesome content!

@figmodaddy2996 2 жыл бұрын

Just discovered your videos. Your presentations are really well done. Here in Citrus County zone 9A, I have had to relearn gardening PH, watering, fertilizing and everything else. Two years now and still struggling. 'Up North' we just planted anything everywhere and it grew.

@TheUrbanHarvest 2 жыл бұрын

Ive heard of this wonderland of up north lol never experienced myself. you can do it! just a few tweaks here and there.

@LaRa-youknowit Жыл бұрын

Another great Florida info video, thx

@jleezy612 4 жыл бұрын

Very informative and well presented. Thank you providing Florida focused gardening information and tips ❤

@elisepickett5803 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! 🌱❤️

@maritsagarcia457 2 жыл бұрын

I’m so happy to find you in fl I’m going to in fl And learning what is good for fl groin in my home gardening

@TheUrbanHarvest 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful!

@nancyfahey7518 2 жыл бұрын

This is my 3rd year growing longevity spinach. Last winter we had 24° and the spinach was wiped out. Good thing I take in and root a couple of stems every year. But the soil I recycled to grow potatoes this year has longevity spinach growing in it. I believe the seeds have taken. I'm amazed at this plant. Grows thru the hottest weather in August..

@TheUrbanHarvest 2 жыл бұрын

Solid choice for sure. They are perennial too unless a very cold snap which is nice.

@zachariahstillwater 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! I'm in love with the purple sweet potatoes. I have them getting established under the food forest and on the edges of the garden near the fences. I think soon I will build them something to grow up on and maximize my yield

@TheUrbanHarvest 2 жыл бұрын

growing up with them doesn't necessarily maximize yields. they root where they touch the ground so the more contact the better. you can take buckets or create a potato hill to maximize a little more efficiently.

@lisabafundo4355 2 жыл бұрын

New subscriber here, great video!

@joaniedonoghue9124 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. 👍 Took your advice and planted cowpeas in my 4x8 bed. They're doing great!

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

That's great!

@mozelle1234 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome thank you

@TheUrbanHarvest 5 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@flower_goddess1279 3 жыл бұрын

What a great video ! Thank you

@TheUrbanHarvest 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@electricpeashooter5424 4 жыл бұрын

Great video ty

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@JoshEspinosaRealtor 2 жыл бұрын

You're awesome! Glad I found your channel. 😀👍

@TheUrbanHarvest 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

@mygrannysgarden 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. I don’t plant during the summer because of the heat and bugs. This video has given me insight on using core crops.

@TheUrbanHarvest 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Ill have another one coming out next spring talking about a few others to build your soil up. Make sure your subscribed so you get the notifications for new videos.

@JulieMaddux-er6ww Жыл бұрын

Love your informative and visual presentations! I need to get some summer cover crops put in; where do you find seeds for these plants (particularly sorghum, millet) without it being a 10 pound bag? Thank you!

@EatSeeRV 5 жыл бұрын

You look like such a gardener with that hat - haha love it! Thanks for sharing this. Super cool to learn about how sweet potato actually helps the soil. Never planted cowpeas before. We will have to try that!

@TheUrbanHarvest 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks : ) Cowpeas are great!

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

Definitely helps keep me cool : ) Cowpeas are a great choice for multiple benefits!

@nikiledger3592 3 жыл бұрын

great video, thx...I'm in zone 9 Louisiana, so I'll be able to use your suggestions.

@TheUrbanHarvest 3 жыл бұрын

sweet! happy gardening!

@garykoons3519 4 жыл бұрын

You rock

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

Well thanks : )

@bpfsu 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve never heard somebody suggest we not grow in summer in Florida. Maybe mid-summer isn’t the best time to start a garden, but I’ve grown a full garden from April well into October. Okra does stupendous, peppers get a little wilty, but they produce, tomatoes do fine. Obviously lettuce, spinach, and any other cool season crops are a no-go. Half the “cover crops” you mentioned are just summer crops. I was thinking you were going to suggest buckwheat, clover, or vetch.

@TheUrbanHarvest 3 жыл бұрын

I grow year round as well but not all people choose to or can. These crops were selected because they cover the soil and protect it from damage while being virtually maintenance free. They can walk away for the summer if they need to or only go out if they want to harvest a bit of food.

@SonyaBe748 3 жыл бұрын

It's very difficult to grow anything doing the summer in Tampa bay area

@peggybuti1896 3 жыл бұрын

I am planning on cow peas and sweet potatoes!

@TheUrbanHarvest 3 жыл бұрын

Good choice!

@mollytrap 2 жыл бұрын

I’m wanting a perennial low-lying cover crop for five acres of orange orchard to suppress the weeds between each orange tree…so something that does ok in part shade…It seems perennial peanut would be a good option, but it seems difficult/expensive to plant on that large of a scale. Do you have any other ideas?

@SmallGardenQuest 5 жыл бұрын

The only time we dont grow in our climate is in winter time and our best cover crop is snow :O I would love to live in an abundant climate as yours! :)

@TheUrbanHarvest 5 жыл бұрын

I learned from Growing Power up north in Milwaukee. They grew year round using only compost for heat! Unfortunately Will retired and they closed but he made a bunch of videos about it. You should check them out. AMAZING production in freezing climates. Our first class we had to use a pick ax to break the ice off the compost piles (you can imagine my Florida girl reaction lol)

@SmallGardenQuest 5 жыл бұрын

@@TheUrbanHarvest will do thnx

@denniskeyes7713 4 жыл бұрын

What do you do with the leftover plant after harvest in a no-till garden? Pull it out by the roots or chop and drop? Any preparation before replanting in harvested bed? I have raised beds in SW Fl.

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

I cut plants at or slightly below soil level then compost non edible portions. I find that chop and drop of end of seasons crops leads to fungal issues. Heres a video on in between season amendments: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mdGCoKeZv7-rgXk.html

@maple8859 Жыл бұрын

I’ve just read that New Zealand spinach is considered invasive in Florida and California. I grow some in 2 pots, they sprouted very well, multiple plants from one seed. I keep the pots far from the open garden, but I’m still wondering what are the rules about planting invasive plants. Thank you!

@sleepingjennifer2 4 жыл бұрын

New gardener here, I like the idea of sweat potato. When would you put them in the ground for the summer?

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

Anytime between Jan and June but in theory you would want to plant a few into your producing spring garden so they have time to establish/carpet the garden before everything else is removed so by april/may to get some good soil coverage.

@timmooney2460 11 ай бұрын

what are you using those pallets ?

@lisafahrner8257 Жыл бұрын

When do you grow corn?

@valchris11 7 ай бұрын

Is there any cover crop for nematodes in the summertime?

@DeeAreDee 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the amazing resource you've put together here!!! Do you think it's too late to plant sweet potato slips? I am just now learning that summer in Florida is tough, and I currently have a raised bed at my grandma's house that gets at least 8 hours of strong, baking sun per day. It really is out in the middle of the yard with no tree cover or shade :( I currently am trying to get bush beans, zucchini, cucumber, and tomato to grow there, but some of them are yellowing. Should I try to switch the whole bed to 'summer phase' and cover crop it until fall? I live in Central Florida, Winter Haven. Your channel and website has been so helpful, thank you again :)

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

Not even close to too late, you can plant them anytime in the next months, well into summer. Yes, thats too much sun! Is there any way you could create artificial afternoon shade? A beach umbrella, anything tall around the yard, even a sheet tied to stakes... Yellowing is usually a sign of lack of nutrients though. When was the last time the soil was amended?

@DeeAreDee 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheUrbanHarvest Hmmm okay, I will see what I can do to add some shade! The soil is a layer of black kow on the bottom plus topsoil, with some fertilizer thrown in and mixed into the top 6 inches or so. The soil has been in the bed for a couple months now, and about a week ago I tried adding a little more fertilizer, I believe it was just some biotone I had lying around, and watered that in. How quickly after adding nutrients do plants take it up? Thank you

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

@@DeeAreDee Uptake depends on the fertilizer and watering frequency. It sounds like you have quite a bit added in there. Is it just the beans that are yellowing?

@DeeAreDee 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheUrbanHarvest I uploaded a few images of the space and the plants here: imgur.com/a/1EDzQiJ I went over this morning at around 8:30, and I might be wrong about the amount of sun it gets; there is some shade during the morning but not during the afternoon. But it still may be too much sun...hmmm This property is on the edge of a wooded area so it gets lots of critters, and as you can see from the photos the zucchini leaves are getting eaten :( The yellowing is better now than it was a couple weeks ago, though it does seem like my plants aren't growing very fast. They started from seed, and multiple plants came up in the same hole; I guess you're supposed to separate them early? but I didn't know that and waited till the zucchini had like, 3 separate plants all in the same hole, so I tried to separate them and I think the ones I tried to replant are the ones that are getting eaten. So much trial and error in gardening haha

@amysizemore5287 2 жыл бұрын

I live central Florida east coast and just played sweet Potatoes in containers and have a spot in my yard that’s full sun. Do you think they’ll grow in beach sandy yard ? Should I loosen the soil and had anything to it ? Thank you

@TheUrbanHarvest 2 жыл бұрын

yes they should do just fine. water them until they have new growth then slowly back off watering until they can rely on summer rains. not much else to it. if you amend the soil too much it actually just leads to more leaves and smaller roots.

@odivarela9147 4 жыл бұрын

Hi just found you page and I want to make my first raised bed what should I plant today that I can eat soon I was thinking butternut squash zucchini potato spinach lettuce radish but You’re saying grow cowpeas sweet potatoes should I wait to plant the other stuffing later in the year?

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

We are heading in to out warm climate veggies. All of the crops you mentioned prefer our winters unfortunately. I would suggest amaranth, lima beans, tatsoi, or okra for quick summer crops. If you head over to my website you can sign up for my free newsletter and it will give you a what to plant when cheat sheet to help you get started figuring out the seasons. www.theurbanharvest.com

@LaRa-youknowit Жыл бұрын

Why are your peas rolled over with wire? Curious

@maritsagarcia457 2 жыл бұрын

I have been trying spinach for so long , if you can please let me know thanks

@TheUrbanHarvest 2 жыл бұрын

what do you mean?

@amandaabbott4490 4 жыл бұрын

Do you think it’s too late to begin planting sweet potatoes and cow peas now? I’m in central Florida.

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely not, its a great time to plant them. They can be planted for the next couple months as well.

@AllisonFojtik Жыл бұрын

when do you plant summer cover crop. I am in central florida.

@TheUrbanHarvest Жыл бұрын

Cover crop is good for those summer months when it is too hot to grow other plants, so you can wait until mid to early summer to plant those. If you check out my website you'll find a "what to plant when" guide to help you.

@mnp6398 3 жыл бұрын

Where do you buy your seeds? I already grow sweet l Potatoes but have not had many leaves and its been 2 months?

@TheUrbanHarvest 3 жыл бұрын

It depends. Usually southern exposure seed exchange, then baker creek. On occasion I will purchase from johnny seeds or burpee.

@cathy5450 Жыл бұрын

What if you don’t put a cover crop because you don’t want to plant in the summer months. What else can you do to protect your garden beds?

@TheUrbanHarvest Жыл бұрын

if you don't want to actively garden try this: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jLxpjZOHnKjXqXU.html

@ludmiladunchyk7669 4 жыл бұрын

Hi, I am planning my first garden and I have a concern that raccoons and rabbits will come and feast on my veggies and all my hard work will be wasted. Do you have an issue with this or can you give any advice on how to deal with it?

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

Raccoons don't tend to mess with the garden, at least in my experience. I've had the occasional possum snag a tomato but then so do the birds. Rabbits on the other hand will certainly help themselves IF its easy access. Pots work fantastic but if your looking to do a raised bed just make the sides taller than necessary and it will usually work.

@ludmiladunchyk7669 4 жыл бұрын

@@TheUrbanHarvest Thank you for your reply :) We had two of our pineapples eaten by someone, we assumed it was raccoon. I am planning to make raised beds, I might just double the hight. Thanks for the tip! Loving all your videos by the way, they have been very helpful, keep em coming! Would love to see a video on how you made your beautiful compost in more detail from start to finish :)

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

@@ludmiladunchyk7669 Hope it helps! Ill try to get a more comprehensive one soon for composting. Likely over the summer.

@MrNightpwner 3 жыл бұрын

I'm confused, so do I harvest cover crops, let them whither and die, or till them into the soil like a killer massacring his victim?

@TheUrbanHarvest 3 жыл бұрын

Its to protect and shelter the soil over the summer. All of them mentioned in this video are edible so you can harvest as needed over the summer months. At the end of summer you can either cut them at the soil line and compost or turn them into the soil. I personally go the compost route so that the soil ecosystem is left alone.

@ldays413 3 жыл бұрын

Can I just put my sweet potatoes vines back on the bed as a covering to mulch down after I've pulled out all sweet potatoes.

@TheUrbanHarvest 3 жыл бұрын

No, they will regrow themselves - unless thats what you want. I would eat what you want then compost them or feed them to livestock if you have any.

@grammyspieface1 3 жыл бұрын

I got all kind of bug holes in my sweet potatoes, I hope I actually get some sweet potatoes

@TheUrbanHarvest 3 жыл бұрын

Pests that much on the leaves probably wont be eating the roots. Sweet potatoes are very hardy. You should be good!

@sharrilswindle752 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheUrbanHarvest Thanks another! I AM HOPING FOR THAT ., so the sweet potatoes can stay in ground til before 1st frost?

@sharrilswindle752 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheUrbanHarvest my sister lives in Missouri ,I was telling her about your videos, though they are a different zone and clay soil, she was gonna watch some of your videos as well..,so Thank you

@jolus6678 4 жыл бұрын

All of those plant's look half yellow and dieing

@TheUrbanHarvest 4 жыл бұрын

They produced well for me.