​Mid-summer is when most gardeners are harvesting the fruits of their labor and enjoying fresh seasonal produce, but it is also a great time to be thinking ahead about how to care for the soil your plants depend on to thrive. Soil health experts recommend planting cover crops as a way of caring for your soil and potentially increasing the nutrient density in the food you are growing!
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What are cover crops?
Cover crops are plants - grasses, legumes and other forbs - grown primarily to protect the soil and benefit the successful growth of future crops. Some examples of common cover crops are: crimson clover, field peas and oats, buckwheat, sorghum sudangrass, and cereal rye.

Why cover crop?
Incorporating cover crops into your garden does so much more than meets the eye. To the casual observer, cover crops are simply covering what would be bare soil, but the real magic is happening underneath the surface! Some of the benefits of planting cover crops are:

1. Maintain soil health and productivity
2. Reduce erosion
3. Weed Suppression
4. Increased biodiversity
5. Minimize soil compaction
6. Break up soil compaction
7. Maintain or increase soil organic matter
8. Improve habitat for soil organisms
9. Natural source of nitrogen to companion or subsequent crops
10. Improve habitat for pollinators, beneficial organisms or natural enemies of crop pests

Selection
Start with species that are easy to terminate in a small garden. Winter/field peas and oats “winterkill” which means they typically die after a period of freezing temperatures or frost, leaving you with no additional chores in the garden until it is time to plant in the spring!

How much cover crop seed do you need?
Marion County SWCD has a tool to help calculate the amount of cover crop you need for your space. You can find the information by visiting Soil Health - MCSWCD and navigating to “Cover Crops”, expanding the accordion to reveal the “Indiana Cover Crop Tool” link.

Planting
Although July 15th – September 15th should be ideal for cover crops like Crimson Clover and Peas and Oats, like all gardening, the best time is dependent on the weather. If you are close to July 15th and know you are going to have consistent rain for the week following planting, by all means plant the seeds! If we are under a heat advisory until the week after September 15th, consider waiting until the weather cools down. In all cases, try to get your cover crops planted no later than October 1st.

If you already have your garden planted, you will need to “interseed” or “intercrop” within summer or fall vegetables. After weeding, create furrows approximately ½” to 1” deep in the ground, lightly sprinkle your cover crop seed into the furrows. Then cover the seed with soil thereby burying the seed. The cover crops will germinate between your plants and not present any issues to growth.

If you have open spaces or you are not concerned with cover crops taking space from your vegetables, you can also broadcast the seed evenly over your garden and rake it in. You may need to lightly cover the seeds with a light straw or other covering to deter birds from eating the seeds.

Management
If the weather is hot and dry after planting in the summer or early fall, then it may be necessary to water your cover crops to ensure good germination and growth. Otherwise, cover crops will grow well without much attention to water needs.

If planted too early, oats may produce a seed before they die due to frosts. In this case, it is best to cut the tops of the oats off as they are flowering but before they produce seed. Crimson Clover, Cereal Rye, and Hairy Vetch will not flower until sometime early to mid-spring. They will need to be cut down as they are flowering but before seeding.

If they produce seed it is likely best to cut and remove the plant to limit weedy issues in the garden. However, some gardeners are okay with this as a cover crop in the midst of your vegetables is not inherently bad. In fact, it can be beneficial.

Termination
Not all cover crops die over the winter like peas and oats. Some varieties will require you to take an extra step to terminate. There are several ways to terminate cover crops. The best method for many gardeners is the “cut and cover” method. For the greatest soil health benefits, cover crops are terminated when they are flowering. To terminate, cut down the cover crop with shears, a hedge trimmer, mower, etc. and cover with an opaque material like black plastic to stop photosynthesis. This will also help suppress early annual weeds.
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You can find a full list of cover crop species and how to terminate in this Natural Resources Conservation Service document.

​Did you know bees are not the only pollinators in Indiana? Approximately 200,000 invertebrate species, (bees, moths, butterflies, beetles, and flies) serve as pollinators, as well as about 1,000 species of vertebrates (birds, mammals, and reptiles), according to Pollinator Partnership. The services provided by native pollinators contribute to the productivity of crops as well as to the survival and reproduction of many native plants.

​So how can you get started planting for pollinators? Make a list of your favorite pollinators and match them to their favorite food sources. We created a short list below to help you get started!

Before you purchase any of these plants, make sure they were not sprayed by the grower or nursery with insecticides of any kind. If you don’t know, ask and follow “trust but verify” by reaching out to grower directly when possible. ​

I grew up knowing that I needed to respect and protect the land.  When I retired in 2015, I knew I wanted to do volunteer work in Westfield, but I didn’t yet know that I would become part of an amazing group of individuals laser focused on protecting the land. I didn’t realize at the time the incredible toll that invasives were taking on our natural areas.  But I could see the need for more trees as Westfield underwent explosive growth.  Many of the older trees were being wiped out by development. Thankfully, my friend, Sarah Gillim started Westfield Green Together (WGT) and I got involved with the group in 2018. Through WGT, I made the connection to Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (HCSWCD).  It was during a meeting sponsored by HCSWCD that I first learned about the invasive issue.  I wanted to be a part of the solution and I became a founding member of the Hamilton Invasives Partnership (HIP) in 2019.  I am so thankful for the leadership at HCSWCD, my HIP family, and the partnership between WGT, HIP, and the City of Westfield.
 
Advice for someone getting started:
Get the right gear for the job.  Safety glasses. Tool belt.  Great gloves.  Farmer’s sleeves. And most importantly, bug spray for the summer.  Once you go to one weed wrangle, you’ll be hooked!  It’s a great way to meet incredible, dedicated, like minded persons like you. You always feel like you made a difference!
 
Favorite Nature Spot in Hamilton County:                       :
There are so many it’s hard to choose just one!  But I have to choose my “home park” and that is Raymond Worth.  It’s been a dream to see it transformed from an invasive species nightmare into what is now a phenomenal park.
 
One word that describes my volunteer work: 
Restoration.  I want to do my best to restore habitats in our natural areas and help others understand how they can play a part in helping create native plant-based habitats on their own properties.

-Shelly 

Phragmites australis, also known as Common Reed, is a tall, perennial grass found along the edges of lakes, ponds, ditches, wetlands, and other drainage areas. While a native subspecies exists, it’s the non-native, invasive strain of Phragmites that poses serious ecological challenges. This aggressive invader spreads rapidly forming dense patches that disrupt pond ecosystems, degrade habitat, and reduce overall pond health.

At first glance, Phragmites may appear harmless—lush, green, and even attractive—but beneath the surface, it’s one of the most ecologically damaging wetland invaders in North America. Once established, it can dominate shorelines and shallow waters, outcompeting native species and altering the function of entire aquatic systems.

To learn more about how to identify and manage Phragmites australis, please see this fact sheet from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources on Common Reed or email Jacob Luken ([email protected]) for a personalized management plan on your property. 

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​I started volunteering with HIP at the tree and shrub sale in 2023. Lots of hands are needed at this annual event. It’s a great way to meet fellow plant lovers and familiarize yourself with species native to Hamilton County.

My advice for someone getting started is: do it! HIP is a kind bunch of people always willing to listen, learn, and share experiences. Check out the events calendar on HIP’s website and find one that works for you. Definitely sign up for the mailing list and attend a monthly meeting if you can (virtual or in person, first Wednesdays 12-2pm). There are also opportunities to volunteer on your own schedule such as the mapping project and the park stewards program. Most importantly, ask questions, all sorts.

My favorite nature spot in Hamilton County (besides the jungle we call home) is Carmel Central Park. I’m very fortunate to visit this park frequently and experience the ecosystems through days, seasons, and years. It’s a nice place to be on Nature’s pace. Central Park has a wide variety of habitats and tons of species. It’s a great spot to practice plant identification and get ideas for your own landscape. You can see what does well together and what likes it where.

One word that describes my volunteer work is: community.
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Photo: Me with Ribes americanum (American black currant). I was inspired to add this plant to our yard after seeing one growing in a wet area near Carmel Creek at Central Park. Thank you to Cool Creek Park for providing such an awesome selection of species at your native plant sale this spring!

Samantha Shoaf-Miller: I grew up with my mom, stepdad, and sisters on the intercoastal waterway in Pensacola, FL. They are all (I mean ALL) lawyers in Pensacola today.  My dad is a cotton farmer in West Tennessee. Growing up I thought that the beach was something boring you do on Tuesdays after school, but over summer break you could maybe get to go ride in a combine!
  
Shawn Miller: I was born at Riverview Hospital and grew up in Arcadia.

Jessica Irvine: Carmel, Indiana​

SSM:  My work with the SWCD highlights how a 'normal' suburban household can support conservation through planting native species, removing invasives, composting, managing stormwater runoff, mulching leaves, and so much more- and we only "farm" a third of an acre in a cul-de-sac! Modern life is a high density, high tech, highly specialized world. Agriculture needs to be high density, high tech, and highly specialized to support our communities sustainably. I start with agriculture when you ask about conservation because when you think about the things humans need from the environment, calories come first. Everyone wants to have a robust economy made up of experts, so we need to also trust experts who produce calories from sunshine. If we can generate more calories more reliably from the agricultural acres, that means that we can save acres for native habitats, green spaces, parks, riparian buffers- all of the other ecosystem services we enjoy. Those ecosystems services are only possible at a large scale once we have enough food to eat. Hamilton county is growing and changing -it is a great place to raise a family in part because our community is unique in access to urban, rural, and natural areas. It will take a specific dedication to maintain that balance moving forward. 
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SM: Conservation means taking care of the land, water, soil, and environment that we have been given to ensure it is in the best condition possible for the next generation. It is easy to take the lazy way out, those that go above and beyond to protect the conservation we have been given truly stand out!
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JI: To me, conservation means equitably and responsibly sharing this incredible planet with all life on Earth, including but not limited to plants, animals, and insects. It means to minimize harmful impacts and promote habitat conservation and biodiversity. Conservation is to care for others with you in this moment of time on Earth and those who will come after you. It is everyone's responsibility individually and collectively to be good stewards of this planet. Protecting and defending all my fellow earthlings is my fiercest passion and my greatest calling. 

By Taylor Wilson

Since 2015 we've been working on our Soil Is Alive soil health trailer with multiple partners and artists. After many years, we are close to finishing it. Check out the photos below. 

By Taylor Wilson

​The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District held their Annual Meeting this February at the Delaware Township Community Center with record attendance. Over 150 county residents attended to vote in the SWCD Supervisor election and learn more about the SWCD. Highlights from the District’s 2024 work were shared by Claire Lane. The SWCD recognized Rachael Foster and Hamilton County Tourism with the Outstanding Partner of Urban Conservation Awards. Special recognition was also given to Dusty Forrer and Jared Kakasuleff for their participation on the SWCD Board over many years.

Jeanette Jaskula gave a presentation on how to garden to attract moths, including detailed information on native moth species. Jessica Irvine was elected to the SWCD Board of Supervisors and sworn in by Kenny Cain, State Soil Conservation Board member. Attendees also donated a full box of food donations to the Delaware Township Community Center food bank.
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We host an annual meeting every year to highlight our work as a district, provide educational opportunities, and hold an election. To stay updated on the latest programs and events, visit www.hamiltonswcd.org.

Native or introduced? Often, this is an easy question to answer - either a plant is from Hamilton County or it isn't. For Black Locust, however, the answer is a bit more complex. First, what do we mean by "native"? Plants can be historically native to a Country or larger region without being native to a specific State or County. Due to changes in elevation, topography, soil type, water availability, or physical barriers such as mountains or rivers, it is possible for a plant to be native to one part of the United States, but not another. 

This is the case for the Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) a tree whose historic native range is thought to be the Appalachian region from Alabama to Pennsylvania with isolated pockets in the Ozark Mountains, Southern Illinois, Arkansas, and the southern edge of Indiana. Through the settlement of the West and the boom of agriculture in the 18th and 19th centuries it is thought that early settlers brought Black Locust trees from the Appalachians further inland due to their fast growth, wood quality, and its nitrogen fixing capabilities. Black Locust wood was commonly used for fence posts along agricultural properties and firewood and was instrumental in the foundation of our Country, being used to help build Jamestown and ships during the War of 1812. Evidence has been found that Native Americans also used Black Locust wood for bows and other tools, giving the tree a long and storied history in the eastern United States. 

Works Cited
6, A. T. on F. (2018, February 6). Yale University. Black Locust | Yale Nature Walk. https://naturewalk.yale.edu/trees/fabaceae/robinia-pseudoacacia/black-locust-81
Black Locust Tree Guide: Thorns, wood, bark, flowers, areas (beware this tree). (n.d.). https://8billiontrees.com/trees/black-locust-tree/
Evans, D. J. (2025, February 10). Black Locust: Invasive in Woodlands?. Purdue Extension Forestry & Natural Resources. https://purdue.edu/fnr/extension/black-locust-invasive-in-woodlands/
​Robinia Pseudoacacia L. (n.d.). https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/robinia/pseudoacacia.htm