How to do cover crop mixes?

• Combine plants with different, complementary development strategies that share space and do not compete for resources

• Combine plants with different morphologies (e.g slender, bushy, low-lying, climbing etc.)

• Use species with diverse root systems

• Adjust the sowing density of each species to limit overrepresentation by any one plant or excessive competition

• If the goal is to improve soil structure, it is important to combine species with different root systems

• If the goal is to retain nitrogen over the winter use a nitrogen scavenger

• If the goal is to produce nitrogen for the following crop use a legume based mix

• Use a sufficient plant population to suppress weeds

Useful links:

• https://www.cotswoldseeds.com/species-guide.asp

• https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/mandan-nd/ngprl/docs/cover-crop-chart/

• https://orgprints.org/id/eprint/30573/12/Fiches_Especes_EngraisVerts_ENG_2018.pdf