Each year the Knott County Agriculture Agent teaches a fall class on Cold Crops and Cover Crops.  This class covers various topics, such as, what crops can be grown in the fall and how to extend fresh vegetables later into the season. This class is always an interest to many gardeners who are looking at ways to increase the availability of fresh local foods.  Although, this a great part of the class, it allows the agent to educate the participants on the importance of cover crops for their gardens.

Cover Crops are a very critical part of having a successful garden, however most people do not understand the importance of cover crops and what they can do for the soil.  Cover Crop is vegetation that is sown on your garden in the fall to help control erosion, loosen compacted soils, build up organic matter, and to help in weed control. This year’s class at the Knott County Extension Service gave out cover crop seed for those attending the class.   Although a small number of participants attended, they left with a better understanding the importance of a winter cover crop.  It has been proven that word of mouth is the best way to reach people, so the Knott County Extension Service hopes that those in attendance for the classes, go out and spread the knowledge that they learned about cover crops to other gardeners.