Simple answers to help you grow with confidence.
🌱 How much area does one bag cover?
Coverage depends on the product, planting goal, soil conditions, and how densely you choose to sow. Because every garden is different, we list a minimum coverage on every package to provide a reliable starting point.
📅 When should I plant a cover crop?
Planting windows are listed on every product page and are intended as a general guide. The best planting time depends on your local climate and growing season.
🌱 Farm Wisdom: Every garden grows on its own schedule. Use the planting windows as a guide and adjust for your local conditions.
Helpful Resources:
🌱 Find your USDA Hardiness Zone
The USDA Hardiness Zone Map helps determine which plants are most likely to survive winter in your area.
🌿 Do I need to till before planting a cover crop?
Not always. Most Re-Fresh products can be broadcast onto prepared soil and lightly raked into the surface. Some gardeners also use no-till or low-till methods.
Always follow the planting instructions listed on each product page.
🌾 Do I need to remove my cover crop?
Yes. Most annual cover crops should be mowed, cut, or incorporated into the soil before they produce mature seed.
Allowing plants to fully mature and drop seed may result in volunteer plants growing where you don't expect them the following season.
🌱 Farm Wisdom: The goal is to feed your soil, not your weed bank. Terminate annual cover crops before mature seed develops for the best results.
💧 How often should I water newly planted cover crop seed?
Keep the soil consistently moist during germination and early establishment.
Once established, watering needs depend on rainfall, temperatures, soil type, and the product you've planted.
🌼 Will my cover crop come back every year?
It depends on the product.
Some Re-Fresh products contain annual species that naturally complete their life cycle in one season, while others include perennial species that may return year after year. Check the individual product page to learn what to expect.
🐝 Are Re-Fresh products safe for pollinators?
Absolutely. Many Re-Fresh products are specifically selected to improve soil while supporting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that help gardens thrive.
🌱 What is the best cover crop for a home vegetable garden?
The best cover crop depends on the season and what you want to accomplish. For fall planting, Re-Fresh BASIC is a five-species cover crop mix designed for home vegetable gardens and raised beds. It helps protect bare soil while building organic matter, improving soil structure, and supporting soil health.
For summer, BLANKET is a warm-season living mulch made with teff and berseem clover that helps cover and protect soil between plantings.
Your climate, frost dates and growing window should always be considered when choosing a cover crop.
🌱 What is the difference between BASIC and BLANKET?
BASIC is a five-species fall cover crop mix designed to improve soil structure, build organic matter, support soil biology, and protect bare soil through the cooler months.
BLANKET is a warm-season mix of teff and berseem clover designed to act as a living mulch during summer, It helps cover the soil, suppress weeds, and protect the soil surface between plantings.
Think of it this way: BASIC is your fall soil reset. BLANKEt is your summer soil cover.
🌱 Can I use cover crops in raised beds?
Yes. Cover crops work very well in raised beds. They help protect bare soil, add organic matter, support soil biology, and keep living roots in the soil between vegetable crops. Re-Fresh BASIC was designed with home vegetable gardens and raised beds in mind.
🌱 What should i plant after I pull out my tomatoes or summer vegetables?
After summer vegetables are finished, a fall cover crop can help protect and rebuild the soil instead of leaving it bare. Re-Fresh BASIC is designed for fall planting in home vegetable gardens and raised beds, where it helps add organic matter, improve soil structure, and support soil health through the cooler months.
🌱 What happens to my cover crop in the winter?
It depends on the species and your climate. Some cover crops may winter-kill after hard freezes, while others can survive cold weather and resume growth in spring. Re-Fresh BASIC contains a mix of species, so winter performance can vary by region and weather conditions. Always consider your local frost dates and growing zone when planning for winter.
🌱 When and how should I terminate my cover crop?
Most cover crops should be terminated before they set seed and before you're ready to plant your next garden crop. Depending on the cover crop, you can cut, mow, or pull the plants, then leave the plant material on the soil surface as mulch or incorporated it into the soil. Timing and method can vary by species, climate, and what you plan to grow next.
For step-by-step guidance, visit our Cover Crop Termination Guide.
📦 How is my order shipped?
Orders are carefully packaged and shipped throughout the United States. You'll receive tracking information as soon as your order is on its way.
↩️ Can I return seed?
Because seed is a living product, we cannot accept returns once it has left our facility.
If there's a problem with your order, please contact us. We'll always do our best to make it right.
🌱 Still Have Questions?
We're here to help.
If you have questions about selecting the right product, planting, or growing successfully, please reach out through our Contact page. We'd be happy to help you get started.