www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably legume-cover-crops cowpeas Cowpeas Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) Also called: southern peas, blackeye peas, crowder peas, cow peas Type: summer annual legume Roles: suppress weeds, N source, build soil, prevent erosion, forage Mix with: sorghum-sudangrass hybrid or foxtail hay-type millet for mulch or plow-down before vegetables; interseeded with corn or sorghum See charts, pp. 66 to 72, for ranking and […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably legume-cover-crops berseem-clover Berseem Clover Berseem Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) Also called: Egyptian clover Type: summer annual or winter annual legume Roles: suppress weeds, prevent erosion, green manure, chopped forage, grazing Mix with: oats, ryegrass, small grains as nurse crops; as nurse crop for alfalfa See charts, p. 66 to 72, for ranking and management summary. A fast-growing summer annual, berseem […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably grass-legume-mixtures Grass/Legume Mixtures Cover Crop Mixtures Expand Possibilities Mixtures of two or more cover crops are often more effective than planting a single species. Cover crop mixtures offer the best of both worlds, combining the benefits of grasses and legumes, or using the different growth characteristics of several species to fit your needs. You can use cover crop […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably legume-cover-crops Legume Cover Crops Overview of Legume Cover Crops Commonly used legume cover crops include: Winter annuals, such as crimson clover, hairy vetch, field peas, subterranean clover and many others Perennials like red clover, white clover and some medics Biennials such as sweetclover Summer annuals (in colder climates, the winter annuals are often grown in the summer) Legume cover […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably nonlegume-cover-crops winter-wheat Winter Wheat Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Type: winter annual cereal grain; can be spring-planted Roles: prevent erosion, suppress weeds, scavenge excess nutrients, add organic matter Mix with: annual legumes, ryegrass or other small grains See charts, pp. 66 to 72, for ranking and management summary. Although typically grown as a cash grain, winter wheat can provide most […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably nonlegume-cover-crops sorghum-sudangrass Sorghum Sudangrass Sorghum Sudangrass Hybrids (Sorghum bicolor x S. bicolor var. sudanese) Also called: Sudex, Sudax Type: summer annual grass Roles: soil builder, weed and nematode suppressor, subsoil loosener Mix with: buckwheat, sesbania, sunnhemp, forage soybeans or cowpeas See charts, pp. 66 to 72, for ranking and management summary. Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are unrivaled for adding organic matter […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably nonlegume-cover-crops cereal-rye Cereal Rye Cereal Rye (Secale cereale) Also called: cereal rye, winter rye, grain rye Type: cool season annual cereal grain Roles: scavenge excess N, prevent erosion, add organic matter, suppress weeds Mix with: legumes, grasses or other cereal grains See charts for ranking and management summary. The hardiest of cereals, rye can be seeded later in fall […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably nonlegume-cover-crops oats Oats Oats (Avena sativa) Also called: spring oats Type: cool season annual cereal Roles: suppress weeds, prevent erosion, scavenge excess nutrients, add biomass, nurse crop Mix with: clover, pea, vetch, other legumes or other small grains See charts for ranking and management summary. If you need a low-cost, reliable fall cover that winterkills in Hardiness Zone […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably nonlegume-cover-crops buckwheat Buckwheat Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) Type: summer or cool-season annual broadleaf grain Roles: quick soil cover, weed suppressor, nectar for pollinators and beneficial insects, topsoil loosener, rejuvenator for low-fertility soils Mix with: sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, sunn hemp See charts, pp. 66 to 72, for ranking and management summary. Buckwheat is the speedy short-season cover crop. It establishes, blooms […]
www.sare.org publications managing-cover-crops-profitably nonlegume-cover-crops brassicas-and-mustards Brassicas and Mustards Brassicas and Mustards Type: Annual (usually winter or spring; summer use possible) Roles: Prevent erosion, suppress weeds and soilborne pests, alleviate soil compaction and scavenge nutrients Mix with: Other brassicas or mustards, small grains or crimson clover Species: Brassica napus, Brassica rapa, Brassica juncea, Brassica hirta, Raphanus sativus, Sinapsis alba See charts for ranking and […]