# 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>

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**Documents**

- [What is soil?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/what-is-soil-gRuZM4zZR6)
- [Soil Microbes / Microbial Biomass < 5% soil mass](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/soil-microbes-microbial-biomass-5-soil-mass-qg38xBHeSj)
- [Functions of the Microbial Biomass](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/functions-of-the-microbial-biomass-TSEVOVTRuS)
- [What are SOM and SOC?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/what-are-som-and-soc-w0gOjdsBo2)
- [How to score your soil?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-to-score-your-soil-Oyv3RohGUy)
- [How to increase SOM?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-to-increase-som-YSKc4fav2d)
- [How to calculate from SOC % to t/ha?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-to-calculate-from-soc-to-tha-ccMWIj01CD)
- [How long will it take for the soil to be "full" of carbon?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-long-will-it-take-for-the-soil-to-be-full-of-carbon-IQ9NTVfbSY)
- [How to maintain the organic matter level in soil?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-to-maintain-the-organic-matter-level-in-soil-e4Tu2KRJUf)
- [Agronomical Benefits of increasing SOM](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/agronomical-benefits-of-increasing-som-QZzWrYXd8d)
- [Choosing cover crops](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/choosing-cover-crops-byZi137O0k)
- [Common cover crop species](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/common-cover-crop-species-hjBpvpwnpF)
- [How to do cover crop mixes?](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/how-to-do-cover-crop-mixes-3upeHsTZo1)
- [Establishment methods of cover crops](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/establishment-methods-of-cover-crops-Ah2i9bkmxw)
- [Termination methods of cover crops](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/termination-methods-of-cover-crops-JURSvNl1cr)
- [Residue management](https://eagronom.getoutline.com/s/96e3c8d3-79b7-4af0-89ec-a283ee06eb8b/doc/residue-management-rU53bPH69y)