Cover Crops for Vegetable Growers
Newsletter articles
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
Fall
mustard Click to
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In the Northeast mustard is used as a fall-planted
cover crop with
the expectation of it being winter killed. This crop thrives in the
cool conditions of fall and can give 100% ground cover. It adds organic
matter, break up hardpan and suppress weeds in the following crop. Soil
borne diseases may be suppressed by glucosinolates in the residue.
There are three species of mustard that behave similarly when sown in
the fall.
Land preparation
Firm seed bed free of weeds to ensure a good stand. Available nitrogen levels at 120 lb N/ac. May require sulfur application at 6:1 N:S. Vegetable land often has sufficient nutrients.
Seeding rate
Drill 5-12 lb/ac; Broadcast 10-15 lb/ac. Cover 1/2 in. After seeding roll the ground to improve seed to soil contact but not to break up soil aggregates.
Seeding date
Mid July through August. 4-6 weeks to flowering. Seed sources Rupp Seeds, MinnDak Growers
Maintenance
None
Control
Winter kill followed by incorporation in the Spring. Do not let mustards go to seed.
Tips
Mustards are magnets for flea beetles, but less so in the fall. Diamond-back moth larvae are attracted to this crop. Do not use in rotations with other Brassicas. Fall mustards leave little spring residue. Used for disease control after onions and lettuce on the muck. Suppresses Verticillium in potato, and reduce weeds in the following crop.
Fall mustards are also discussed in the article on Early fall cover crops.
