There are indeed perennial book binding crops available for various purpose in gardening and landscaping . While most cover crops are annuals , meaning they complete their life history oscillation within one year , there are a few perennial that can be used to suffice specific part in the garden .
One common use of perennial concealment harvest is as living mulch . Living mulch refers to plant life that are grown alongside or between main crops to help conquer weeds , improve soil health , and preserve wet . Perennial cover crops can be in particular useful in this function , as they provide longsighted - term benefits without the pauperization for replant each year .
One example of a perennial cover crop commonly used as aliveness mulch is white clover ( genus Trifolium repens ) . White trefoil is a low - growing , spreading flora that form a dense soil cover . It has the ability to get atomic number 7 from the atmosphere , enrich the dirt with this essential nutrient . to boot , white clover ’s thick growth helps to bottle up grass increase , cut competitor for food and body of water .
Another perennial book binding harvest option for living mulch is creeping thyme ( Thymus serpyllum ) . Creeping thyme is a low - acquire herbaceous plant that imprint a thick lusterlessness of foliage , efficaciously crowding out weeds . It also releases a pleasant fragrance when walk upon , making it a pop choice for footpath or surface area where people will frequently choke by .
Erosion ascendence is another significant mapping of cover crops , and perennial options are available for this purpose as well . Perennial forage , such as switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) or bighearted bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii ) , have mysterious and extensive root systems that facilitate to steady territory and preclude wearing . These grasses can be planted in area prone to erosion , such as side or along waterways , to provide tenacious - term protection and stableness .
Perennial book binding crop can also be utilized for biomass output . Biomass refers to constitutional material that can be used as a renewable vim beginning or for other software . repeated grasses , such as miscanthus ( Miscanthus spp . ) or switchgrass , are often grown as dedicated biomass crop . These grasses have mellow growth rates and can be harvested annually for their biomass , provide a sustainable source of energy or feedstock for various industries .
In my own experience as a gardener , I have found repeated cover crops to be valuable additions to the landscape painting . I have used ashen clover as a living mulch in my vegetable garden , and it has helped to conquer weeds and improve grime rankness . I have also integrate switchgrass along a sloping country in my backyard to prevent erosion and make a visually appealing grassland home ground .
While most cover crop are annuals , there are several repeated choice available for specific function such as living mulch , erosion control condition , or biomass production . These perennial provide long - full term benefit and can be valuable additions to any garden or landscape painting .
Caroline Bates
