I raked the soil for the three original raised beds, weeded, and scattered Nemagon mustard seeds as a cover crop / green manure / biofumigant, The mustard should grow to six inches to a foot tall, survive the winter, and reach about two feet by the time I want to use the raised beds in the Spring. Three weeks before planting the Spring crops, the mustard will be chopped and incorporated into the soil.
The mustard plants and leaves release substances that kill harmful nematodes, fungus diseases, and bacterial diseases. Until then, the deep roots (up to 5 feet deep) bring nutrients from deep in the soil, the leaves sequester nitrogen, and the leafy plants inhibit weed growth.
I think the mustard cover crop will reduce the need to collect as many tree leaves to enrich the soil, as well as help keep the beds free of diseases and harmful soil life.
I decided to remove any onion family plants, to simplify the rotation. Next year these beds will contain tomato plants and beans, and the following year any can have onions or garlic again.
The middle bed needs repair. I can do that in the Spring.
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