why do we...

planting cover crops serves many purposes:

• prevents soil erosion: since root systems hold soil in place, plant cover protects against heavy rain run off and topsoil loss due to wind.
• adds nutrients: plants like clover can take nitrogen from the air and fix it into the soil. this serves as nature's fertilizer.
• suppresses weeds: cover crops compete with unwanted weeds.
• reduces soil compaction: roots from certain cover crops help break up hard, compacted earth. this improves aeration and water drainage.
• increases organic matter: as plants decompose, they feed the microbes which help to builds a richer growing environment

crop rotation is when different types of crops are grown in a field 

in sequential seasons in order to:

• disrupt pest cycles: pests can build a permanent home when the crop planted is always the same. changing crops disrupts the pests lifecycles. 
• prevents the depletion of nutrients: different plants take different nutrients from the soil. rotating plants prevents the soil from getting drained of a certain nutrient. rotating crops that drain the soil with crops that add nitrogen to the soil  naturally replenishes essential nutrients without the need for  chemical fertilizers
• helps with soil structure: different root depths and plant structures break up compacted dirt, increase organic matter, and reduce soil erosion. 
• suppresses weeds: changing up the type of crop helps crowd out persistent weeds. 

 testing the garden's soil tells us 

its nutrient levels and pH. this helps guide us to choose what crop to plant or fertilizer to use. 

• soil pH: measures how acidic or alkaline the soil is. pH controls whether plants can absorb available nutrients.
• nutrient levels: it's important to identifies if there's too much or too little macronutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and calcium.
• lime and other fertilizer additives: directs what is needed or not needed preventing harming plants or polluting local water.
• help with plant placement: specific crops (like acid-loving blueberries) can be planted in the right  spot in the garden.