Overview of Green Manures/Cover Crops

Frequently a cover crop or a green manure is utilized in nurseries for a number of reasons, such as to reduce soil erosion, provide ground cover and return organic matter to the soil, break up insect and disease cycles, add nitrogen to the soil, and for other reasons. There are many plant species to choose from, each with its own growth habits and requirements. In order to select the best species for a given soil and climate, growth period, and time of the year, one needs information on characteristics of various species. Results from greenhouse and field studies in Nebraska and North Dakota indicate that hairy vetch and soybean are generally well adapted cover or green manure crops for midwestern United States and can be grown at almost any time for any length of time desired. Hairy vetch can also be grown as a winter annual. Crimson clover is also a good winter cover crop for the southern part of the United States, but is not sufficiently winter hardy north of mid-Missouri/Kansas. For 45-75 days of early spring growth, field peas and faba beans are well adapted. For longer growing periods, perennials and biennials such as sweet clover, alfalfa, rose clover, and others grow well. For warm mid-summer plantings, species such as tinga pea, lespedeza, and cowpea should be considered.

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Author(s): J. F. Power

Publication: National Nursery Proceedings - 1993

Event: Northeastern and Intermountain Forest Nursery Associations
1993 - St. Louis, MO