Gardeners and Farmers:
Cover Cropping:
Cover cropping is the process of planting certain plants in rotation with your crops for the purpose of increasing soil health, water quality, and other environmental factors. While it might take some planning, benefits include increased yields, increased nutrients, decreased erosion, and decreased weeds. Continuous vegetation allows for soil microbes to constantly feed on plant roots. While they feed, the secrete a glue-like substance that creates soil micro-aggregates. These micro-aggregates can withstand erosion, and help the structure of the soil to have more water infiltration. The benefits of cover cropping are very important in the Lake Auburn Watershed. Individuals on small raised box gardens or larger farms are able to take an active role protecting Lake Auburn and the Lake Auburn Watershed with practices like cover cropping.
Check out this page by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension for more information on cover cropping. https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2019/06/1170-Cover-Cropping-for-Success-2.pdf
View this video of a rainfall simulator demonstrating the benefits of cover crops and plant roots on conserving soil. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rbSWey0pOg
Other Resources:
Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District