Cover Crop Time
Cover crops are generally planted in late summer and early fall to protect fields after the main crops are harvested. They help stabilize the soil and reduce erosion caused by wind and rain.
Cover crops also absorb excess nitrogen and phosphorus left behind from fertilizers that the main crops did not use. This helps keep those nutrients from moving through the soil and potentially reaching groundwater.
Farmers have many cover crop options and can choose different mixes based on their needs. One of the most popular choices is winter wheat, which provides good soil coverage through the colder months. Other popular types of cover crops include, rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, oats, and radish.
There are a few different ways to spread cover crop seed. In the video below, you can see the preferred method of one of our Farmer's Bloom farmers - a crop duster spreading winter wheat seed.
By protecting soil and helping manage nutrients, cover crops are an important tool for maintaining healthy and productive farmland.
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