Hi there,

I am putting in my second raised be this fall - 4X8X10. I am considering planting a cover crop in both beds. I had read that oats might be a good crop to plant for our zone/weather.

Two questions -

1) Do you think that would be a good idea? I believe in being as organic as possible so I don't use chemicals or pesticides.

2) Where would I be able to purchase the seed? I live in the Northwest suburbs of Illinois and my garden center does not carry that type of seed.

Thanks for any help you can give,

Cheryl Besenjak

Where

You are talking about a "green" cover crop which is always beneficial to the soil structure. Rather than Oats, consider winter wheat. Sown in the Fall, turned under in the spring before you plant and before it sets seed. Winter wheat is available now at most feed and grain supply stores. Not sure about oats as I know it as a spring planted crop, but they may have stocks already for spring 2010.