Improving Soil Quality & Cover Crops
Even though different soils have some properties that cannot be changed, such as texture, soil quality can be improved by implementing good management strategies. Soils can be improved for water holding capacity, drainage, structure, and even the ability for plant roots to penetrate through the soil.
Improving Garden Soils with Organic Matter
This publication will help you understand the importance of soil organic matter levels to good plant performance. It contains suggestions for suitable soil amendments. Any soil, no matter how compacted, can be improved through the addition of organic matter. The result will be a better environment for almost any kind of plant.
Willamette Valley Soil Quality Score Card Guide & Score Card
Farmers and other land managers need reliable methods to assess soil quality so they can make management decisions that maintain long-term soil productivity. A group of Oregon farmers has identified 10 soil quality indicators for the Willamette Valley that can assess the impact of soil management. The indicators are specific to the cropping systems of the Willamette Valley. Take a look at the guide’s preview and decide if it may be a good resource for you.
Building Soils for Better Crops - SARE publication
Cover Crops
Using Cover Crops in Oregon
Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of cover cropping and how to choose the right cover crop. Covers planting, relay interplanting, herbicide and pesticide considerations, conservation tillage, mowing, allelopathy, pests, and cover crop suppression and incorporation. Describes a method for estimating the nitrogen (N) contribution of cover crops to a following crop. Provides information on the varieties, environmental range, uses, dry matter and N accumulation, pest interactions, and management of 15 Oregon cover crops.
Common Oregon Cover Crops:
- Annual Ryegrass (html)
- Barley, Oats, Triticale, and Wheat (html)
- Buckwheat (html)
- Cereal Rye (html)
- Common Vetch (html)
- Crimson Clover (html)
- Fava Bean (html)
- Field Pea (html)
- Hairy Vetch (html)
- Rapeseed (html)
- Red Clover (html)
- Subterranean Clovers (html)
- Sudangrass and Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrids (html)
Cover Crop Weed Suppression in Annual Rotations
Nitrogen Scavenging: Using Cover Crops to Reduce Nitrate Leaching in Western Oregon
Cover Crop Dry Matter and Nitrogen Accumulation in Western Oregon
Cover Crop Nitrogen for Vegetable Crops
Cover Crops in Vegetable Systems – WSU Research Project
Managing Cover Crops Profitably - SARE Publication
Northeast Cover Crop Handbook – Rodale Institute order form
Farmers and their Innovative Cover Cropping Techniques - video – University of Vermont
Cover Crops for Vegetable Growers – Kansas State University
UC Cover Crop Resource Page
Composting
Soils & Compost
Healthy soils can improve crop and livestock production. Check out the ATTRA website for several valuable resources.
Backyard composting
Oregon DEQ Compost Information
The Compost Connection - Washington State University – Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
