Growing Non-GMO No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop Seeds
Cover crops are easily sown by hand broadcasting or using a push broadcast spreader. Spread 1-2 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Avoid oversowing unless you plan to till it under before the growth becomes too dense. Cover crops should only be grown for 30-60 days before a killing frost or manual termination. If growing as a spring or summer cover crop, be sure to terminate the crop by tilling, mowing, solarizing, or covering with a tarp. If tilling your crop in, allow 2-4 weeks before planting in this space. The green plant material will need at least this much time to decompose. Cover crops should be cut or killed before flowering and going to seed, as failing to do so will cause volunteers to pop up, creating unwanted weeds. Methods like solarizing or covering with a tarp should only be used during warm weather over a period of 4-6 weeks to successfully trap enough heat to kill the crop.
Benefits of the No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop
Cover crops come with a host of benefits, including erosion prevention, nutrient enrichment, improved soil structure, better moisture retention, weed suppression, and reduced compaction. With this mix of 9 common cover crop seeds, you can receive these benefits with the added bonus of knowing it is also safe forage for your animals. Whether you are growing in the spring, summer, or winter, this cover crop will help you reach your soil goals. By keeping soil covered during the “off” seasons, you can prepare the ground for a stronger and healthier harvest in the coming months.
About the No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop Mix Seeds
All 9 seeds included in this mix will winter-kill in USDA hardiness zones 8 and cooler when planted 30-60 days before your first fall frost.
All 9 seeds in this mix are also forage friendly for your common farm animals.
Due to their ability to winter-kill, this mix is ideal for gardeners using no-till practices.
If growing in the spring or summer months, this mix will need to be terminated 2-3 weeks before growing a main crop for harvesting.
No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop Mix
Crop |
Scientific Name |
Percent of Mix |
Millet, Whole
|
Panicum miliaceum |
15 |
Lentil
|
Lens culinaris |
15 |
Oats, Whole |
Avena sativa |
15 |
California Black-Eye (Cowpeas) |
Vigna unguiculata |
15 |
Fenugreek |
Trigonella foenum graecum |
15 |
Daikon Radish |
Raphanus sativus |
10 |
Brown Flax |
Linum usitatissimum |
5 |
Turnip |
Brassica rapa |
5 |
Mustard - Farmer’s Favorite Cover Crop Mix |
Brassica juncea |
5 |
* This mix does not contain any legume inoculant.
Tips From Our Gardeners
"Pair cover crop use with the practice of crop rotation during your regular growing season for a strong, organic method of defense against pests from year to year."
- Ashleigh Smith, True Leaf Market Writer
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Other Resources
No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop Seed Coverage:
- 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Covers Approximately 1,000-2,000 square feet
- 5 lb - Bulk Seeds - Covers Approximately 5,000-10,000 square feet
- 25 lb - Bulk Seeds - Covers Approximately 25,000-50,000 square feet
Non-GMO No-Till Forage Friendly Cover Crop seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.