This document discusses no-till gardening using cover crops. It summarizes research done in Maryland on using cover crops like tillage radish and cereal rye in a no-till organic garden system. The document then describes a demonstration plot in Illinois that tests this approach without expensive equipment by only using initial cover crop seeding and no subsequent tillage. Photos show the growth and decomposition of the cover crops from September 2017 through June 2019. It concludes that a no-till organic system can work if one is willing to experiment, do some hand weeding, understand not every year will be perfect, and give the soil time to rebuild good structure.

1. No Till Gardening Using Cover Crops
Can it be Done?
Duane Friend
Extension Educator

2. Partial Funding Provided by a SARE
Mini-Grant

3. Organic Methods
 Typically require extensive tillage
 Tillage degrades soil structure, allows greater erosion,
degrades organic matter

4. Cover crops
 Can suppress winter annuals
 Provides a mulch layer for suppression of summer
annuals
 Decreases soil degradation

5. Demonstration of the Feasibility of a No-
Till, Organic Garden System using Cover
Crops
 Review of research done in Maryland
 Demonstration plot in Illinois

6. The Idea for Doing This

15. Will No-till, Cover Crops AND Organic work in
Illinois Gardens?

16. Demonstration/Study Site at McCully
Heritage Farm
 Use of tillage radish and cereal rye in garden setting
 Use of simple techniques (No expensive equipment)
 After initial cover crop seeding, no tillage done

17. Early September 2017

18. Tillage Radish spread First

19. Late September 2017

20. Rye Seeded early October- this is mid
October 2017

21. After First Frost

22. Late April 2018

28. Late October 2018

29. Late March 2019

30. Early May 2019

31. June 2019
NOAA

32. Late June 2019

33. Can it be done? Yes, IF:
 You are willing to experiment to develop a system that will work for you.
 You are willing to do some hand weeding between rows.
 You realize every year won’t be all angels and butterflies flying about
 You are willing to give the soil several years to re-develop good structure

34. Questions?
Thank you!