I tried using crimson clover as a cover crop for the first time this year in some of my raised beds that were also new this year. I planted the seeds before my baby plants. I didn't rip it all out when I put the plants in and then it quickly outgrew my vegetables. I had to trim around them a lot and accidentally cut off a couple of baby vegetable plants. If you are starting with bigger vegetable plants it might work better. But it does get really big and fluffy. Or if you have time to have the cover crop grow and then turn it all under before you plant that might be better too. We had a really cool spring, so mine took a long time to get started. I also tried hairy vetch and I preferred that because it was easier for me to differentiate the baby vegetables because the leaves are so different and it is easier to pull out of the ground.