Cover Crops

History of Cover Crops

The first recorded use of cover crops dates back as early as 6000 B.C., when Greek and Roman farmers used legumes as cover crops to improve soil quality in vineyards, barley and oats were planted for livestock, and wheat was planted for bread. In the 15th century, farmers in England began to experiment with crop rotation, which incorporated cover crops. Crop cover rotation used by farmers has gone through cycles throughout history; however, farmers and gardeners today realize the importance of using cover crops in rotation.  

What are Cover Crops?

Cover crops are as the name suggests. They are plants to cover soils for a purpose, rather than for a harvested crop. They cover the soil during the period between the time one crop is harvested and the next one is planted. Unlike the primary crops they are not usually grown for production or consumption, but that is not saying they cannot be used as a cash crop or food source for livestock or humans.  

What is the Purpose of Cover Crops?

Cover crops protect the soil and increase crop yields. They can add fertility to the soil without the use of commercial fertilizers. They can be left on the surface as a mulch or tilled while still green into the soil, becoming a green manure and adding organic material to soil. Cover crops can be grown year-round in the garden.

What are the Benefits of Cover Crops?

Cover crops provide essential nutrients by certain species of legumes, forming a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobia bacteria. These bacteria take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form used by plants, increasing soil organic matter, which enhances soil quality through the impact of biomass over time. Cover crops absorb water from rainfall, enhance water infiltration and increase moisture retention for the subsequent crop. 

Cover crops suppress weeds by outcompeting weeds for light, water and nutrients. Cycles of diseases can be broken down and reduce population of bacterial and fungal diseases and parasitic nematodes. Brassica cover crops, such as mustard, can control soil-borne pathogens, like root-knot nematodes and verticillium wilt. Pollinators benefit from flowering cover crops, such as clovers. Soil erosion is controlled by the roots, stabilizing the surface of the soil and reducing the risk of erosion from wind and rain. A final benefit is that they are low maintenance and additional nutrients are seldom needed to support cover crops since the nutrients are usually already present in the soil.  

What are the Three Main Categories of Cover Crops?

There are warm season and cool season cover crop choices. Grasses like rye, wheat, barley, ryegrass and oats are annual cereals that have fibrous threadlike roots, which help with erosion. Legumes include crimson and white clovers, hairy vetch, cow peas and some beans. These legumes are known for nitrogen enrichment and help with compaction in the soil. Broadleaf non-legumes are the last category and include brassicas, forage radishes, turnips, buckwheat (warm season), marigold and mustards, which help absorb nitrogen, hold soil in place, make green manure and don’t require extra termination in the spring because they typically die off early. 

Cover crops are an essential component to any farmer or gardener growing annual crops. Choose cover crops for a purpose to enhance your growing.

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