Cover Crops for Vegetable Growers
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legumes
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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
Rye Click to
download printable PDF file
Rye
is a
cold tolerant grain that geminates in cool soil (34-40°F) making it a
major fall-planted cover crop in the Northeast. The crop prefers
well-drained soils but will tolerate heavy clays as well as acid soils.
Rye has a well-developed fibrous root system that reduces leaching of soil nitrates. The top growth provides soil cover and suppresses weeds, however it can be difficult to control in the spring.
Land preparation
Prepare a seed bed free of clods and of weeds. If tillage is impossible oats can be broadcast on moist untilled ground. Additional fertilizer is usually not needed especially when following vegetables.
Seeding rate
| Date | Drill | Broadcast |
| 9/15 | 60 | 85 lb/ac |
| 9/22 | 100 | 140 |
| 10/1 | 140 | 200 |
| 10/15 | 180 | 250 |
Rye is often mixed with legumes as a nurse crop. In fall, use 70 lb/ac rye with 20-25 lb/ac hairy vetch. In the spring, use 60 lb/ac rye with 15 lb/ac Medium red clover.
Seeding date
Sept. 15-Oct. 10 for winter cover.
Oct. 15 for spring cover.
April 15 as a nurse crop for clover.
Seed sources
Local farm seed dealers, Seedway, AgriCulver, local farmers (if the seed is weed free)
Maintenance
None
Control
Control on time. Incorporate before seed set. May regrow if tilled before boot stage, typically early May. Mow in the spring after all the tillers are past the boot stage but before the plants have headed out. For no-till planting, roll at heading.
Wet warm spring weather can cause quick growth and make incorporation difficult. Apply glyphosate at 1 lb/ac ai. for effective control of rye.
Tips
Suppression of crops following the incorporation of rye has been noted. This may be due to allelopathy or nutrient tieup. Wait at least two weeks between incorporation and replanting vegetables. Wheat may be preferred as a cover crop to reduce this risk.
