Cover Crops for Vegetable Growers

Why cover crops?
Soil Health

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Early summer
Mid and late summer
Late summer legumes
Early fall
Fall
Early spring

Cover crop information

Buckwheat

Annual ryegrass
Oats
Wheat (includes spelt, triticale)
Rye
Sudangrass
Reed Canarygrass

Arugula
Mustard, spring
Mustard, fall
Forage Radish
Forage Turnips

Red clover
Hairy Vetch
Field Peas
White Clover

Photos

Seed sources

Arugula  Click to download printable PDF file

Arugula is a fall-seeded over-wintering Brassica. It is useful for weed suppression and minimizing surface compaction. Arugula provides less ground cover but more biofumigation potenial than turnips or rape.  The glucosinolates in Brassicas are the compounds responsible for disease suppression. 

Land Preparation    
Smooth seed bed free of weeds and well drained with sufficient moisture.

Seeding rate
    Drill 2-4 lb/ac  1/4-1/2 inch deep
Seed can be no-tilled into suppressed sod or seeded into a conventionally prepared seedbed.  When using conventional tillage, control the first flush of weeds before seeding to ensure a weed free seedbed. Roll after seeding to improve seed to soil contact but not break up aggregates.

Seeding date    
August

Seed Sources  
Rupp Seeds

Maintenance 
Avoid wet spots

Control 
Incorporate in the Spring. For biofumigation mow when the soil is warm but before seed set. Incorporate immediately and roll soil to seal the surface. Wait a minimum of 10 days to fit and plant.

Tips    
Do not use in rotation with other Brassicas.
Brassicas can be magnets for flea beetles.
Arugula is reported to reduce the populations of Northern root rot nematodes on tomatoes.