MONROE COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
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Cover Crops - What Are They and Why Use Them?

Cover crops are traditionally planted on farms but can be used in gardens. A cover crop is any crop grown to cover the soil and may be incorporated into the soil later for enrichment. Planting cover crops in your garden provides multiple benefits such as controlling erosion, suppressing weeds, reducing soil compaction, increasing moisture and nutrient content of soil, improving yield potential, attracting pollinators, and providing habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife as well as food to animals. - USDA
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Resources, Partners & Links to Articles


Benefits of Cover Crops
Indiana Cover Crop Overview for Small Farms and Gardens
Indiana Cover Crop Table for Small Farms and Gardens
Indiana Cover Crop Seeding Window for Small Farms and Gardens

Our Mission is to promote the conservation of soil, water and natural resources
​by encouraging the people of Monroe County to be stewards of the land.


SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS

​CURRENT NEWSLETTER

​Equal Opportunity Provider

If you incounter any broken links or any other concerns on this site
please contact our office at [email protected]

AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2025 THE USDA SERVICE CENTER IS CLOSED DUE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
​

Our Physical Office Location as of October 1, 2025
Monroe County Government Building (North Showers)
501 N Morton
Bloomington IN 47404

  • HOME
  • RESOURCES & ASSISTANCE
    • RENTALS/LOANS & SERVICES >
      • EQUIPMENT RENTALS >
        • NO TILL DRILL RENTAL
        • PULL BEHIND SEED SLINGER
      • EQUIPMENT LOANS >
        • TREE PLANTER BAR
        • SOIL PROB
      • SERVICES OFFERED >
        • SOIL TESTING >
          • SAMPLE REPORTS
          • HOW TO TAKE A SOIL TEST
          • SOIL TEST FORM
    • CONSERVATION RESOURCES >
      • COMPOSTING
      • COVER CROPS
      • EROSION CONTROL
      • FOREST STAND IMPROVEMENT
      • FOREST/WOODLAND MANAGEMENT
      • HUAP: HEAVY USE AREA PAD
      • INVASIVE PLANTS & WEEDS
      • LIVESTOCK
      • LIVESTOCK FENCING
      • NATIVE PLANTINGS
      • POLLINATORS
      • PONDS
      • RAIN BARRELS
      • RAIN GARDENS
      • SMALL & URBAN FARMING
      • SOIL HEALTH >
        • WHY TAKE A SOIL TEST
        • SOIL TESTING >
          • Interpretive Guide For Soil Test Reports
          • WHY TAKE A SOIL TEST
      • STORMWATER
      • WILDLIFE HABITAT
    • FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OPPORTUNITES
    • REQUEST ASSISTANCE
    • CONTRACTORS & RESOURCE PROVIDERS
  • COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
    • NEWSLETTER & PARTNER LINKS
    • BLOGGING OUR STORY & SUCCESS
    • VIDEOS ON CONSERATION
  • DISTRICT INFORMATION
    • CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS
    • 2024-2028 Long Range Business Plan
    • Board Meeting Minutes >
      • HISTORICAL MINUTES >
        • 1943-1949
        • 1950-1959
        • 1960-1969
        • 1970-1979
        • 1980-1989
        • 1990-1999
        • 2000-2010
        • 2011-2020
    • 80 YEARS OF CONSERVATION 1943-2024
    • District History >
      • MCSWCD Original Documents
    • PAST SUPERVISORS
    • Supervisors Roles & Responsibilites
  • LOCAL WORKING GROUP
  • STORMWATER PARTNERSHIP
  • WATERSHED WORK
    • BEANBLOSSOM Watershed Project
    • FISH CREEK Watershed Project
    • INDIAN CREEK Watershed Project
    • LOWER SALT CREEK Watershed Project
    • PLUMMER/RICHLAND CREEK Watershed Project
    • UPPER SALT CREEK Watershed - Lake Monroe
  • CONTACT US
    • REQUEST ASSISTANCE