{"id":22493,"date":"2026-09-03T11:02:23","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T09:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/danubagarden.hu\/?p=22493"},"modified":"2026-09-03T11:02:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T09:02:25","slug":"why-is-a-cover-crop-best-for-our-soil-after-harvest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/danubagarden.hu\/en\/miert-a-legjobb-a-talajunknak-betakaritas-utan-egy-takaronoveny\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is a cover crop best for our soil after harvest?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Soil quality is proportional to the amount of humus in the soil.\u00a0A higher humus content means better-quality soil!<\/strong>\u00a0How can we increase the humus content of our soil?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, let\u2019s make it clear that\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is the difference between the organic matter content of soil and its humus content?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As can be clearly seen from the image above, the humus content of the soil actually accounts for only a small proportion of its total organic matter content. Nevertheless, it is this humus that provides the soil with its main capacity to retain and supply water and nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What happens to plant debris above and below ground?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Humus<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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1.<\/strong>\u00a0 From the dead leaves and stems lying on the ground, the\u00a0mulch<\/strong>\u00a0is formed. This cover, like a hat on a person, protects the soil from the scorching sun\u2019s rays and prevents it from overheating and drying out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These above-ground remains, found in the soil, earthworms <\/strong>They burrow into the soil and consume it. The nutrients in earthworm castings are 2\u20133 times more readily absorbed by the plant\u2019s roots than those in the soil.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

2.<\/strong>\u00a0From the underground part of the plant \u2013 the root \u2013 and the tissue surrounding the root\u00a0Most humus is formed from the remains of bacteria and fungi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How does a cover crop help to preserve humus?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let there always be plants in our soil<\/strong>, because the microorganisms around it produce humus. In other words,\u00a0if we do not grow any plants<\/strong>, for example, when we harvest the vegetables from the raised bed, then\u00a0let\u2019s plant some ground cover<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a South African study, the\u00a0Soil covered with plants is 10\u201315 \u00b0C cooler<\/strong>, as it was left bare. If the soil temperature rises above 50 \u00b0C, the soil dries out to such an extent that all life within it ceases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Changes<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

HD (high density) indicates high plant density, whilst LD (low density) indicates low plant density. NC (no cover) refers to uncovered soil. The horizontal axis shows time in weeks, whilst the vertical axis shows temperature in degrees Celsius. The dotted line is always lower, meaning that densely covered soil is even cooler!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So, what sort of cover crop should we sow after the crop?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n