A functioning Living Soil system is based on a simple principle:
The soil is not a passive substrate, but a living ecosystem of microorganisms, fungi, roots, and organic matter.

One method that supports this system particularly effectively is the use of cover crops.

Cover crops are ground cover plants that grow alongside the main plant and perform numerous functions in the soil. They protect the soil surface, promote the soil microbiome, and actively contribute to the stabilization of the entire system.

In a natural ecosystem, soil is rarely uncovered. Plants, grasses, and herbs ensure that the surface remains protected and that biological activity is constantly taking place. This is precisely the principle used in Living Soil Grow.

What is a Living Soil Cover Crop?

A cover crop is a mixture of fast-growing plants specifically used for soil coverage and soil activation.

These plants grow alongside the main plant in the pot or bed and perform important functions in the soil:

• Protection of the soil surface

• Activation of soil biology

• Promotion of microorganisms

• Improvement of soil structure

• Build-up of organic biomass

Cover crops are therefore not competing plants, but part of the entire Living Soil system.

Their goal is not to grow large themselves, but to support the biological balance in the soil.

You can find more about the basics of living soil in the article:
👉 What is Living Soil?

Why Cover Crops are useful in Cannabis Grow

Protection of the soil surface

Open soil dries out quickly, is affected by light, and loses biological activity faster.

A cover crop acts like a natural living mulch layer. The plants shade the soil and ensure that:

• Moisture is retained longer

• Temperature in the soil remains more stable

• the surface does not dry out

Especially in Living Soil systems without frequent tilling, this protection is particularly important.

Activation of the soil microbiome

The soil microbiome lives in close symbiosis with plant roots.

Plants release so-called root exudates through their roots. These contain sugars, amino acids, and organic compounds that serve as food for microorganisms.

The more different plants grow in the soil, the more diverse these exudates become.

This leads to:

• higher microbial activity

• more stable nutrient cycles

• greater biodiversity in the soil

A cover crop is therefore one of the most effective methods to build an active soil ecosystem.

You can find more about these connections in the article on soil microbiology in Living Soil.

Nitrogen fixation

Some cover crop plants belong to the legumes.

These plants form a symbiosis with so-called Rhizobium bacteria. These bacteria are able to bind nitrogen from the air and convert it into plant-available forms.

This creates a natural nitrogen cycle in the soil.

Typical nitrogen fixers are:

• Clover species

• Vetches

• other legumes

This effect permanently supports nutrient supply in Living Soil.

Improvement of soil structure

The roots of the cover crop plants loosen the soil and create fine pores in the substrate.

These pores provide for:

• better oxygen supply to the roots

• better water distribution

• more stable soil structure

Especially with reused Living Soil mixes, this effect is particularly valuable.

Which plants are suitable for Living Soil Cover Crops?

A good cover crop mixture consists of several plant species with different functions.

Typical plants for Living Soil systems are:

The combination of several species ensures that different root systems and biological functions work together.

Living Soil Cover Crop Mix – ready-made blend for Living Soil systems

The Living Soil Cover Crop Mix – 50 g is a specially formulated blend of:

• White clover

• Alexandrian clover

• Common vetch

• Buckwheat

• Phacelia

This combination was chosen to support various functions in the soil simultaneously:

• Nitrogen fixation

• Rapid ground cover

• Root diversity

• Biomass build-up

The mix is suitable for both indoor grows and outdoor beds.

Recommended amount

approx. 4–5 g per 25-liter pot

Coverage of the pack

The 50 g pack is sufficient for about 10–12 pots of 25 liters each.

When are cover crops used in Living Soil?

Cover crops can be used at different times.

Before the Grow

Many Living Soil growers sow cover crops before planting the main crop.

This allows an active soil ecosystem to develop.

Simultaneously with the main plant

A very common method is the simultaneous sowing of cover crop and cannabis.

The plants grow together and stabilize soil life.

Introduce later

Even in existing grows, cover crops can be sown later to increase soil activity.

How many cover crop plants are useful?

A common mistake is to sow too many seeds.

The goal of a cover crop is not to create a dense meadow in the pot.

The plants should only:

• cover the soil

• promote biological activity

• serve as a supplement to the main system

A moderate amount ensures that the main plant remains the focus of the system.

Cutting cover crops and using them as mulch

A commonly used method in Living Soil is the so-called cut-and-drop method.

Here, the cover crop plants are regularly cut back and left directly on the soil surface.

These plant residues act as a natural mulch layer.

Mulch fulfills several functions:

• Protection of the soil surface

• Food for microorganisms

• Build-up of organic matter

• Stabilization of soil moisture

You can find more on the topic of mulch in the article on mulch layers in the Living Soil system.

Cover Crop and the Soil Microbiome

Cover crops do not only influence the visible surface of the soil.

The biggest effect takes place underground.

Through their roots, complex interactions arise between:

• Bacteria

• Fungi

• Protozoa

• Nematodes

• Organic matter

These processes are a central component of soil biology in the Living Soil system.

A diverse plant life leads to a diverse microbiome – and it is precisely this microbiome that ultimately ensures that nutrients are made available efficiently.

Conclusion: Cover Crops as a natural component of a Living Soil system

Cover crops are much more than just ground cover.

They are an important component of a functioning Living Soil system and contribute to:

• activating the soil microbiome

• stabilizing nutrient cycles

• improving soil structure

• building a natural mulch layer

With a balanced mixture of different plant species, a more stable and biologically active grow system can be established.

The Living Soil Cover Crop Mix – 50 g offers a simple way to use a coordinated mixture directly in the grow.