Increasing Soil Health with Late Summer Cover Crops

As summer comes to a close, many farmers are looking for ways to improve their soil health and prepare for the next growing season. One solution that is gaining popularity is late summer cover crops. Not only do they help prevent soil erosion and reduce weed pressure, but they can also increase soil fertility and biodiversity. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of planting late summer cover crops and provide tips on how to choose the right ones for your farm.

The Benefits of Late Summer Cover Crops

Planting cover crops in the late summer has numerous benefits for soil health. First and foremost, they help to prevent soil erosion by holding the soil in place during the winter months. This is particularly important for farms located on steep slopes or in areas with heavy rainfall. Additionally, cover crops can help to suppress weeds by competing with them for nutrients and sunlight. This reduces the need for herbicides, which can be expensive and harmful to the environment.

Another benefit of late summer cover crops is that they can increase soil fertility. Leguminous cover crops, such as clover or vetch, have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that plants can use. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which can be costly and contribute to water pollution. Additionally, cover crops can add organic matter to the soil, which improves soil structure and water-holding capacity.

Choosing the Right Late Summer Cover Crops

When selecting cover crops for the late summer, it is important to consider your soil type, climate, and crop rotation. Some cover crops, such as buckwheat or sorghum-sudangrass, are better suited to sandy soils, while others, such as cereal rye or winter wheat, are better for heavier clay soils. Likewise, some cover crops, such as cowpeas or sunflowers, prefer warmer temperatures, while others, such as oats or barley, can tolerate cooler weather.

Another factor to consider is your crop rotation. Cover crops can be used to break pest and disease cycles or to provide a habitat for beneficial insects. For example, planting brassicas, such as radishes or turnips, can help to control root-knot nematodes and attract pollinators. On the other hand, planting legumes, such as beans or peas, can fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility for the next crop.

Planting Late Summer Cover Crops

Planting late summer cover crops requires careful planning and management. Ideally, cover crops should be planted directly after the harvest of the previous crop, allowing enough time for them to establish before the first frost. This typically means planting between mid-August and mid-September, depending on your location.

Before planting, it is important to prepare the soil by removing any weeds or debris and ensuring good seed-to-soil contact. Depending on the cover crop, you may need to inoculate the seed with rhizobia bacteria to ensure nitrogen fixation. After planting, it is important to monitor the cover crop for growth and adjust management practices as needed. For example, mowing or rolling a cover crop can improve termination and reduce the risk of regrowth.

Buckwheat cover crop

Late summer cover crops can be an effective tool for improving soil health and preparing for the next growing season. By preventing soil erosion, suppressing weeds, and increasing soil fertility, cover crops can provide multiple benefits for your farm. When choosing cover crops, it is important to consider your soil type, climate, and crop rotation. With proper management, cover crops can help to build resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.

buckwheat, sorghum-sudangrass, cereal rye, cowpeas, radishes, turnips, beans, peas