I originally planted wheat as a cover crop in our garden to help prevent soil erosion, build organic matter in our sandy soil and to scavenge any residual nitrogen left over from the previous growing season. It has become one of my favorite plants to grow. Not only for what it does for the soil in our garden, but it gets me through the gray, dreary months of Winter.
I usually plant wheat as a cover crop in late October. This last Fall it seemed like I couldn't catch a break and the winter wheat didn't get planted until early November. The wheat didn't get much of a head start before the cold weather settled in. So this year's cover crop is a little scraggly looking compared to years prior.
The wheat cover crop starts growing during any warm spells we might have during Winter. This Winter we've had very few warm days so the wheat has put on very little growth. I'll have to wait a little longer this Spring before tilling under the cover crop with the garden tiller or else the cover crop won't be contributing much organic matter to help the build soil tilth.
Planting wheat as a cover crop can really grow on you. I enjoy the green plants during the Winter months and appreciate what it does for the soil. So much, in fact, that I've started planting wheat outside the garden perimeter. Not only does it act as a weed buffer and a habitat for beneficial insects, but I'm also getting the added benefit of building the soil so I can expand the garden area in the future and have soil that is full of organic matter and ready to start producing even more delicious home-grown vegetables.
