Cover Crops

Alyssum Bulk

Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is an open pollinated tender annual that can be used as a cover crop for weed suppression between rows. Numerous tiny predatory wasp species are attracted by the small flowers, and will also feed on caterpillars, aphids, and other pests. Hardy to Zone 3: -40°C (-40°F). Sow 500g per acre. Sow in all unused areas or between rows.

For smaller amounts to use in the flower garden, please see Flower Seeds/Alyssum/Snow Cloth.

FL2037 E (125g) covers 10,787 square feet
FL2037 F (500g) covers 1 acre
FL2037 G (1kg) covers 2 acres

Barley

Hordeum vulgare
An open pollinated hardy annual. Barley is a fast-growing grass with fibrous roots that can reach as far as 2m (6') deep. It is less upright than oats, and not nearly as weedy as rye. Excellent for erosion control and holding nitrogen, which will be released as the the tilled barley decomposes. Barley is great for grain and straw production. Underseed with Crimson Clover, harvest the grain, and then till under the clover in the first or second year. Does not overwinter in cold climates - will winterkill at -8°C (17°F). 50kg per acre. 500g covers approximately 438ft².
(open pollinated seed)

XM992 A (500g) covers 438 square feet
XM992 B (1kg) covers 875 square feet
XM992 C (5kg) covers 4400 square feet
XM992 D (25kg) covers 1/2 acre

Buckwheat

Fagopyrum esculentum
Planted thickly, this tall summer annual has broad leaves that smother weeds. Bees love the flowers but turn Buckwheat under about 10 days after flowering to avoid the seeds dropping. Buckwheat is perfect for quick plantings in spring and summer. Use 27kg (60 lbs) per acre. 500g covers 800 ft².
(open pollinated seeds)

XM995 A (500g) covers 800 square feet
XM995 B (1kg) covers 1,612 square feet
XM995 C (5kg) covers 8,060 square feet
XM995 D (22.7kg) covers 36,600 square feet

Crimson Clover

Trifolium incarnatum
This hardy annual is a great nitrogen fixer. Crimson clover needs fairly well-drained soil that is not too acid and has good phosphorous levels. If overwintered, it will be 45cm (18") tall, with crimson flowers the next June. Our crimson clover seed is inoculated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Use 11.3kg (25 lbs) per acre. 500g covers 1,925 ft². (open pollinated seeds)

XM985 A (150g) covers 580 square feet
XM985 B (500g) covers 1,925 square feet
XM985 C (1kg) covers 3,850 square feet
XM985 D (5kg) covers 19,250 square feet
XM985 E (22.7kg) covers 2 acres

Easy Care Ground Cover

This Envirolawn is a mix of slow-growing grasses & drought tolerant flowers - low growing, low maintenance. Use as lawn or in paths between beds. Contains hard fescue, perennial ryegrass, strawberry clover, English daisies, white yarrow, and baby blue eyes. A great alternative to a standard grass lawn. Use 31kg (68 lbs) per acre. 500g covers 355 ft². (open pollinated seeds)

XM996 A (25g) covers 18 square feet
XM996 B (100g) covers 71 square feet
XM996 C (500g) covers 355 square feet
XM996 D (1kg) covers 714 square feet
XM996 E (22,7kg) covers 16,207 square feet

Fall Rye

Secale cereale
Fall Rye is a soil builder. This cereal grain grows quickly in the fall and survives winter weather even in zone 3. It bursts into growth in the spring so try to turn under or cut back before it reaches 30cm (12"). It is harder to turn under when it is 1m (3') tall. Extensive roots loosen topsoil and improve drainage. Plant in mid September for best results, but fall rye will germinate as late as early November. Seed no deeper than 5cm (2"). Use 50kg (110 lbs) per acre. 500g covers 438 ft². (open pollinated seeds)

XM991 A (500g) covers 438 square feet
XM991 B (1kg) covers 877 square feet
XM991 C (5kg) covers 4,385 square feet
XM991 D (25kg) covers just under 1/2 acre

Fava Beans

Vicia faba
Fava Beans are a hardy annual. This small-seeded broad bean is a popular nitrogen fixer. The large brittle plants work in easily with front end tillers, or can be cut and composted. Turn plants in before the seeds start forming, 2-3 weeks before you want to plant in that spot. Apply Garden inoculant to seeds before planting. Seed 5cm (2") deep, 5cm (2") apart, in rows 30cm (12") apart or broadcast and till in. Use 57kg (125 lbs) per acre. 500g covers 385 ft². (open pollinated seeds)

XM981 A (50g) covers 38 square feet
XM981 B (125g) covers 96 square feet
XM981 C (500g) covers 385 square feet
XM981 D (1kg) covers 770 square feet
XM981 E (5kg) covers 3,850 square feet
XM981 S (22.7kg) covers 17,460 square feet

Hairy Vetch

Vicia villosa
This nitrogen fixer is a lanky and sprawling but versatile legume that is fairly tolerant of acid soils. Apply garden inoculant to seeds before planting. It can be mown in spring to supply good mulch and is shade tolerant. NOTE: Vetch seeds are toxic to chickens, so plant out of the way of foraging flocks or cut the vetch while it is just flowering. Use 13.6kg (30 lbs) per acre. 500g covers 1,560 ft². (open pollinated seeds)

XM989 A (150g) covers 470 square feet
XM989 B (500g) covers 1,560 square feet
XM989 C (1kg) covers 3,125 square feet
XM989 D (5kg) covers 15,625 square feet
XM989 E (22.7kg) covers just over 1.5 acres

Oats

Avena sativa
The fast growth of this soil builder makes oats ideal for sowing in the spring for erosion control or quick tilling. Planted in August, oats will put on a lot of growth and, in most winters, will be killed by frost. The dead plants will protect your soil for the winter. Use 50kg (110 lbs) per acre. 500g covers 438 ft². (open pollinated seeds)

XM993 A (500g) covers 438 square feet
XM993 B (1kg) covers 877 square feet
XM993 C (5kg) covers 4,385 square feet
XM993 D (25kg) covers just under 1/2 acre

White Dutch Clover

Trifolium repens
This low-growing perennial clover is for paths and will also add diversity to lawns. It is one of the best cover crops for adding nitrogen to soil because it is so easy to till under. Perennial and slow growing. Flowers attract and nourish beneficial insects. Sow mid-March to mid-May or August to early October. Hardy to Zone 4. Use 5kg (11 lbs) per acre. 500g covers 4,350 ft². (open pollinated seeds)

XM994 A (150g) covers 1,300 square feet
XM994 B (500g) covers 4,350 square feet
XM994 C (1kg) covers 8,700 square feet
XM994 D (5kg) covers 43,500 - just under 1 acre
XM994 E (27.5kg) covers 5 acres

White Mustard

White mustard (Sinapis alba - sometimes called Brassica alba or Brassica hirta) is a useful cover crop in vineyards, annual crop rotations, and home gardens as a winter cover. White mustard suppresses soil borne diseases including verticillium in potato, common root rot, and soil nematodes. It sprouts in 3-5 days, and grows quickly - in 60-100 days it will reach 90-150cm tall in fertile soil. It is easy to kill with tillage, and will winterkill from fall plantings at -3°C (26°F). White mustard provides some alleopathic weed control and hinders the germination of ryegrass, so it may be used to clean up a problem cover crop ryegrass field. Once tilled under, the crop adds some nitrogen and lots of organic matter to the soil. Use 4.54kg (10 lbs) per acre. 500g covers 4,800 ft². (open pollinated seeds)

NOTE: White mustard should not be used as a cover crop to be followed by Brassicas of any kind. Mustards are a magnet for flea beetles (however, they can be planted early in the season in order to establish good populations of beneficial insects). Mustards must be plowed under a minimum of three weeks prior to planting a new crop. Mustards cannot be used for animal feeds, and they must be planted as a monoculture. in order to release their alleopathic chemicals and biofumigants, mustards require rain or irrigation throughout the growing period.

XM990 A (500g) covers 4,800 square feet
XM990 B (1kg) covers 9,615 square feet
XM990 C (5kg) covers 48,075 square feet - just under 1 acre
XM990 D (22.7kg) covers 5 acres

Winter Field Peas

Lathyrus hirsutus
This nitrogen fixer tolerates somewhat heavier soils and can be planted slightly later in the fall than crimson clover. Be sure to cover seeds 4-7cm (11/2-3") when planting. Use a garden inoculant on seed before planting for maximum nitrogen fixation. Seed 1-3" deep. Use 50kg (110 lbs) per acre. 500g covers 438 ft². (open pollinated seeds)

XM986 A (500g) covers 438 square feet
XM986 B (1kg) covers 877 square feet
XM986 C (5kg) covers 4,350 square feet
XM986 D (22.7kg) covers just under 1/2 acre

Winter Wheat

Unlike oats, this cold-hardy annual ceral will not die off over winter. The germinated seeds lie dormant in frosty soil, and then burst into growth in the spring, providing a greater nitrogen to carbon ration when it is tilled under. Left to mature, it will produce hard wheat kernels by early July. Use approximately 30-60kg per acre. 500g covers approximately 30 sq m (300' sq). Hardy to Zone 8. (open pollinated seeds)

XM997 A (500g) covers 438 square feet
XM997 B (1kg) covers 877 square feet
XM997 C (5kg) covers 4,385 square feet
XM997 D (25kg) covers just under 1/2 acre

This product is sold out. New inventory will ship in the fall, 2013.