Cover crops
| Cover Crops | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Legume/ Non- Legume | Amount to Sow/ 100ft2(oz.) | When to Sow | When to Turn Under | Effects | Notes |
| Alfalfa | L | 1/2 | spring late summer | fall spring | Fixes 150-250 lbs. N/ac./yr; deep roots break up hard soil, trace elements to surface. | Loam, fairly fertile soil; needs warm temps. for germination. Lime if pH is low. Hardy. In mountains sow by Aug 10. Drought tolerant. Inoculate. |
| Barley | N | 4 | fall spring | spring fall | Adds organic matter; improves soil aggregation. | Prefers medium-rich, loam soil. Lime if pH is low. Not as hardy as rye. Tolerates drought. |
| Buckwheat | N | 2 1/2 | spring summer | summer fall | Mellows soil; rich in potassium | Must leave part of garden in cover crop during season. Grows quickly. Not hardy. |
| Crimson Clover | L | 1/3 | spring fall | fall spring | Fixes 100-150 lbs. N/ac./yr. | Not reliably hardy. Sow before mid-Sept. in Piedmont and mountains. Not drought tolerant. Lime if pH is low. White clover is a bit hardier. |
| Fava beans | L | plant 8” apart | early spring late summer | early summer fall | Some types fix 70-100 lbs. N/ac./yr in as little as 6 weeks. Use small seeded rather than large seeded table types. | Will grow on many soil types. Medium drought tolerance. Likes cool growing weather. Good for mountain areas. If planted in early spring can grow late vegetables. Inoculate with same bacteria as hairy vetch. |
| Oats | N | 4 | spring fall | summer spring | Adds organic matter; improves soil aggregation. | Needs adequate manganese. Not hardy; tolerates low pH |
| Rye, winter | N | 3 1/2 | fall | spring | Adds organic matter; improves soil aggregation. | Very hardy. Can plant until late October. |
| Vetch, hairy | L | 2 1/2 | early fall | spring | Fixes 80-100 lbs. N/ac./yr. | Inoculate; slow to establish. Fairly hardy. Till under before it seeds; can become a weed. |
| Wheat, winter | N | 4 | fall | spring | Adds organic matter; improves soil aggregation. | Prefers medium-rich, loam soil. Lime if pH is low. Not as hardy as rye. Tolerates drought. |