Have you heard about cover crops but not aren’t sure what that term means, what purpose they serve, or how to use them within your garden or agricultural cropping system? Cover crops are a “temporary” crop grown to improve soil health and fertility; they are not grown for consumption. Cover cropping has been a strategy used by farmers since ancient times and there are many reasons to incorporate this farming technique today. Cover crops can increase soil fertility and organic matter, improve soil structure and water infiltration, prevent soil erosion, benefit pollinator species, and limit pest and disease outbreaks.