Cover crops in permaculture
Summary of Cover Crop Impacts in Permaculture
Benefit
Soil Fertility
Soil Structure
Weed Suppression
Biodiversity
Carbon Sequestration
Cost Savings
Impact
Nitrogen fixation, nutrient cycling, organic matter addition
Improved aggregation, erosion control, water retention
Canopy shading, allelopathy, reduced labor
Attracts beneficial insects, disease suppression, microbial diversity
Stores carbon, climate resilience
Reduced fertilizer, pesticide, and tillage needs
Example Cover Crop Combinations in Permaculture
Legumes + Grasses: Combining legumes (e.g., clover) with grasses (e.g., rye) provides nitrogen fixation and strong root structures for soil stability.
Brassicas + Buckwheat: Brassicas help suppress soil-borne pathogens, while buckwheat attracts pollinators and provides rapid ground cover.
Daikon Radish + Oats: Daikon radish breaks up compacted soil, while oats add organic matter and help suppress weeds.
In conclusion
Cover crops are essential to the permaculture soil system, bringing a multitude of ecological benefits that align with permaculture’s goals of sustainability, resilience, and reduced reliance on external inputs.
By fostering soil health and biodiversity, cover crops make permaculture systems more productive and environmentally friendly over the long term.
Our next blog post
“Key Permaculture Home Design Features”