The soil surface is extremely vulnerable once the active growing season ends, and this is where over winter cover crops come into play. Their roots anchor the soil and hold it in place through heavy rain and wind that would otherwise wash away valuable topsoil. The plant canopy helps lessen the impact of cold and frost, acting as a protective blanket for the ground underneath. This natural cover reduces compaction caused by winter moisture and protects delicate networks of beneficial microbial life. Even though winter crops may appear slow growing above the surface, their roots are performing critical work below, maintaining the soil’s structure and preventing nutrients from leaching out with runoff water. By springtime, growers who planted crop cover find that the ground is softer, richer, easier to work with, and ready for planting without the need for aggressive tilling or large amounts of added fertilizer.