Backyard Cover Crops and Soil Secrets is a comprehensive course designed to teach home gardeners and small-scale farmers the powerful benefits of cover crops. Taught by Jack Spirko, host of The Survival Podcast, this course covers essential concepts from soil functions to choosing the best cover crops for each season. Students will gain practical knowledge on improving soil health, water retention, and carbon management while learning methods to optimize their planting cycles. The course also offers a deep dive into techniques for terminating cover crops, ensuring long-term garden productivity. By the end of this course, you’ll understand the critical role of cover crops in sustainable gardening.
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Concept & Soil Functions
This chapter introduces the concept of cover crops, their historical significance, and why they are vital to soil health. It also covers the six functions of soil, soil spheres, and the importance of roots in maintaining fertility.
Chapter 2: The Role of Biology in the Carbon & Water Cycles
This chapter explores how plants move carbon into the soil and the relationship between soil biology and carbon. It explains the long and short water cycles, emphasizing the need for healthy soil structure.
Chapter 3: Tillage vs. Healthy Soils
Learn about the harmful effects of tillage on soil health and how it disrupts the carbon cycle. This chapter focuses on ways to protect the soil, emphasizing the importance of living roots, minimal disturbance, and biodiversity.
Chapter 4: Fall/Winter Cover Crop Options
Discover the best cover crop options for the fall and winter seasons, including rye, peas, grasses, legumes, and brassicas. Learn how to select and manage cover crops that boost soil fertility during colder months.
Chapter 5: Spring/Summer Cover Crop Options
This chapter provides an overview of the ideal cover crops for spring and summer, like buckwheat and cowpeas. It covers grasses, legumes, and their role in building soil health during warmer seasons.
Chapter 6: Methods of Termination
Gain insights into various methods for terminating cover crops, including crimping, flaming, mowing, tilling, and grazing. Learn which techniques are most effective based on climate and crop type.
Chapter 7: Matching Benefits with Context & Goals
This chapter teaches you how to match your cover crop selections to your garden’s specific needs. It covers how to evaluate your soil, choose the right cover crop mix, and plan for long-term sustainability.
Chapter 8: Flowers as Cover and Insectaries
Learn how flowers can be used as cover crops and insectaries. This chapter highlights 16 species of flowers that attract pollinators, predators, and help control pests while beautifying your garden.
Chapter 9: Developing Mixes, Species Selection & Planting Methods
The final chapter covers creating cover crop mixes tailored to your garden’s needs, understanding seeding rates, and the best planting methods for success.
Enroll Now
Enroll in “Backyard Cover Crops and Soil Secrets” today and take the first step toward creating a healthier, more sustainable garden. Whether you’re a home gardener or a small-scale farmer, this course offers practical knowledge and proven strategies to enhance soil fertility, water retention, and biodiversity. Unlock the full potential of cover cropping and soil management—enroll now and explore our other courses to continue growing a more resilient, productive garden.
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The depth in which Jack goes to explain everything is about as thorough as it gets. His passion and experience on this topic make it very easy to follow along and listen. The combination of the PowerPoint presentation and the video lecture is very well balanced and informative. Make sure to pay close attention and take notes during the lecture, because some of the details he talks about are in the final exam, but not in the PowerPoint. Overall very happy with the information provided and am very excited to put this into action. Looking forward to more courses in the future!!