In early autumn, clover or hairy vetch can be sown once crops are harvested. Where fall crops are still growing, you can sow a cover crop a month or less before the vegetable harvest. This way the cover crop gets a good start but does not interfere with the edible crop. Do not allow these cover crops to set seed as they can become invasive. Leguminous crops can also be grown in parts of your yard instead of a grass lawn or in a section of the garden that is not being used.
Legumes also grow best in well-limed soil.
Leguminous plants can be mowed, raked, and added to the compost pile, used as a mulch, or turned directly into the garden soil.