AdewebsCover crops are an essential aspect of sustainable farming practices. They are planted between the main crop seasons to add nutrients to the soil, control soil erosion, and improve soil health.
Here are ten cover crops that are both lucrative and beneficial for farmers to consider planting in their farmland:
10 Cover Crops To Plant In Your Farm [+Their Companions Crops]
Clover:
Clover is a nitrogen-fixing cover crop that adds nitrogen to the soil, making it an ideal companion crop for nitrogen-hungry crops like corn and wheat.
Legumes:
Legumes such as beans and peas are also nitrogen-fixing cover crops that can add nitrogen to the soil and improve soil health. They are also a good source of protein for livestock.
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Rye:
Rye is a hardy cover crop that can be planted in the fall to protect the soil from erosion during the winter. It also improves soil structure and can be used as a green manure.
Buckwheat:
Buckwheat is a fast-growing cover crop that can be planted in the summer to add organic matter to the soil and improve soil health.
Oats:
Oats are a great cover crop for improving soil health and reducing erosion. They can also be used as a green manure or as a food source for livestock.
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Sorghum-sudangrass:
Sorghum-sudangrass is a warm-season cover crop that can be planted in the summer to improve soil health and reduce erosion. It is also a good source of forage for livestock.
Barley:
Barley is a versatile cover crop that can be planted in the fall to protect the soil from erosion during the winter. It also improves soil structure and can be used as a green manure.
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Mustard:
Mustard is a cover crop that can be planted in the fall to improve soil health and reduce erosion. It also has allelopathic properties that can suppress weeds.
Turnips:
Turnips are a great cover crop for improving soil health and reducing erosion. They also have a deep taproot that can break up compacted soil.
Sunflower:
Sunflower is a cover crop that can be planted in the summer to add organic matter to the soil and improve soil health. They also act as a trap crop for pests.
Companion Crops For Cover Crops
Companion crops that can be planted with these cover crops include corn, wheat, beans, peas, and other nitrogen-fixing crops.
These companion crops will benefit from the added nitrogen provided by the cover crops and also help to control weeds and pests. In addition, planting cover crops will increase the biodiversity of the farm ecosystem, improve soil health, and reduce the need for chemical inputs.
