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Navarre,OH

Going to be planting my cover crop here in a few weeks or so and was wondering what all everyone uses and why.
Whats the best crop/combo to use for the best soil?
I planted rye last fall/winter but I'm thinking maybe a rye/pea combo this year. I dunno yet, I'm still kind of new to the cover crop stuff.

9/20/2010 6:17:15 AM

Preston CT

None. I don't plant a cover crop. I did not want to attract any grazing creatures to my area and it is just extra work that I don't have time for.

9/20/2010 8:52:07 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I once planted Dwarf Essex Rape on a plot in August when I lost my plant to disease. It comes on very quickly and it is easy to plant; just throw it on the ground. It chokes out weeds quickly. I grew my personal best the next year on that spot. It won't work after a pumpkin crop as it will nothave enough time to grow. But if you get a spot ready early it is a great cover crop.

9/20/2010 9:35:47 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

I use oats. Oats are becoming very popular as a cover crop. Anything is 100 percent better then leaving your soil bare.

9/20/2010 10:09:52 AM

Rhode Island

we cover croped all areas where plants had been remover plus an area we have rested for five years with mustard grass. we did this three weeks ago so that the mustard grass can grow the full cycle and then be mowed and tilled in around november 1st.
next spring around the first of march (weather permitting ) we will plant field peas ,then roto till in just before plants go out.
mustard grass is a natural soil cleanser and the field peas will just help add organic matter back into the soil without the use of manures ( which can bring in diseases as well )

9/20/2010 11:50:05 AM

Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada

For our area I usually consider this the switch over time for cover crops - time to switch from oats, oilseed radish etc to the winter cereals like rye or wheat. However, you can find lots of good cover crop info - specific to your area on the Midwest Cover Crop Council website - they are building a region specific cover crop selection tool. The link for the MCCC is
http://www.mccc.msu.edu/index.htm

9/21/2010 3:12:02 PM

South Hero, VT

Thanks, Annie

I've just started to get serious about improving my heavy clay soil with deep-rooted cover crops.

This fall I've planted groundhog brand radish(like a daikon, only better), and plan to use it next year instead of buckwheat to keep down the weeds.

Good growing to you.

9/21/2010 7:41:30 PM