Raised beds were my lifesaver too—felt like a total gardening hack at first, but hey, whatever works, right? Haven't tried cover crops yet either, though I've heard good things about clover...might give it a shot next year and see what happens.
Have you thought about using buckwheat as a cover crop instead of clover? Clover's great, but I've found buckwheat grows super fast and is fantastic at suppressing weeds. Plus, it breaks down quickly when you turn it under, so it's pretty convenient if you're short on time. I tried it last year between my raised beds, and it really helped keep things tidy without much fuss. Might be worth considering if you're experimenting next season...
Interesting idea about buckwheat—I hadn't really considered it before. I've mostly stuck with clover because it's familiar and seems reliable, but your point about buckwheat being quick-growing caught my attention.
"Plus, it breaks down quickly when you turn it under, so it's pretty convenient if you're short on time."
That's definitely appealing since I'm usually juggling multiple projects at once. Did you notice any issues with pests or wildlife being attracted to it? Might give it a shot next season just to see how it compares...
Buckwheat's been pretty hassle-free for me pest-wise. I did notice a few more bees buzzing around, but honestly, that's a plus in my book since it helps pollinate the garden. Deer didn't seem overly interested either—at least not compared to when I tried planting peas (total buffet disaster, lol). I'd say give it a go; it's low-risk enough that even if wildlife does nibble a bit, you're not losing much.
"Deer didn't seem overly interested either—at least not compared to when I tried planting peas (total buffet disaster, lol)."
Interesting, I've had deer issues with almost everything green so far. Did you use any specific fencing or repellents around the buckwheat, or was it just naturally unappealing to them?
