Cover Crops for Vegetable Growers
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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
Reed
Canarygrass Click to
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Reed canarygrass is a cool season perennial that
forms clumps of sod. It can spread by seed or rhizomes. It is used for
erosion control and is excellent at stabilizing waterways and the
shorelines of ponds. Howerver, it must be used in contained sites due to its
invasiveness. Cultivars of variegated Reed canarygrass have been
selected for use as ornamentals .Land preparation
Prepare a firm and level seed bed. Plant at a depth of 1/4 – 1/2 in. Reed canarygrass tolerates a wide range of pH (4.9-8.2)
Germination can take up to two weeks.
Seeding Rate
10 – 14 lb/ac $2.75/lb.
These rates are on the high side because many seed lots have low germination.
It can be mixed with legumes such as alfalfa.
Seeding date
Early spring and late summer
Avoid planting during hot weather of summer.
Seed sources
American Seed Company, Ernst Seed Company
Maintenance
Mow, the growth peak is in mid June.
Control
Control by burning. The Rodeo formulation of glyphosate is reported to be effective at controlling Reed canarygrass.
Tips
Plan ahead for the invasive nature of this cover crop, considering both containment and ultimate control. Reed canarygrass can out-compete native grasses in wetland habitats.
