Withdrawals and Deposits: Farming With the Soil in Mind

Withdrawals and Deposits: Farming With the Soil in Mind

As the harvest winds down, it might look like the fields are ready to rest. But on a regenerative farm, this is when the next chapter begins. One of our guiding principles here at Blue Heron Farm is to keep the ground covered—never leaving bare soil exposed to wind, sun, or erosion. Instead, we plant cover crops: humble, hardworking plants that quietly do the job of protecting and rebuilding the land.

I like to think about our soil as a kind of bank account. All summer long we’ve been making withdrawals—pulling nutrients out to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Now that fall and winter are coming, it’s time to make deposits back in. We do that by adding compost and planting cover crops, giving the soil a chance to restock and rebuild. In this way, we’re supporting the very ground that works so hard for us all season long, ensuring it stays rich and healthy for years to come.

The Main Types of Cover Crops

Farmers and gardeners usually turn to three main groups of cover crops:

• Grasses (like rye, oats, and barley): These grow quickly, protect the soil from erosion, and add a lot of organic matter when turned under. Rye especially is known for suppressing weeds.

• Legumes (like clover, peas, and vetch): These plants partner with soil microbes to fix nitrogen from the air and store it in the soil, creating natural fertilizer for the next crop.

• Brassicas (like mustard and radish): These send deep roots down to break up compacted soil. Some also help with pest and disease suppression.

Each type has its strengths, and often farmers will plant a mix to get the best of all worlds—strong soil structure, natural fertility, and a thriving underground ecosystem.

For us, this is a cornerstone of building soil health. A healthy soil isn’t just dirt—it’s a living community of microbes, fungi, roots, and organic matter. Cover crops feed that system. They keep weeds at bay, prevent erosion, and create a thriving underground web that holds water and nutrients. Come spring, when we mow them down or turn them in, all of that fertility is recycled right back into the farm.

Regenerative agriculture is about more than what we grow above ground—it’s about what’s happening below our feet. By keeping the soil covered, cycling nutrients, and supporting life underground, we’re investing in the long-term resilience of this farm. Cover crops may not show up in a CSA box or on a farm stand shelf, but they’re the quiet heroes that make every harvest possible.

For backyard gardeners: cover cropping isn’t just for farms. If you’ve got raised beds or even a small patch of garden, you can sow a simple mix of oats and peas or rye and clover right now. They’ll sprout before the real cold sets in, protect your soil through winter, and when spring comes, you can chop them down and turn them in to boost your soil’s fertility. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to give back to your garden while it rests.