All Cover Crop Species

Persian clover is an is an annual, nitrogen fixing legume which is widely used across Europe and is useful as a forage plant.

• Spring sown for grazing and cutting or autumn sown, for rapid spring growth
• An efficient nitrogen fixing legume to assist future crops
• Suitable for use with poorer soils and drought conditions
• Compatible in seed mixtures with grass and legumes
• Sowing rate: 7-10kg / ha

Phacelia is a prolific seed producer, very fast to establish and an excellent source of pollen and nectar. This makes it attractive to both insects and wild birds.

• A popular green manure crop which is an excellent weed suppressor
• Establishes fast and matures within 10-12 weeks
• Produces a large root mass making the plant an excellent soil improver
• Will produce a multitude of flowers - loved by bees and other insects
• Sowing rate: 5-8kg / ha

Red clover is an aggressive, nitrogen fixing plant which is an effective weed suppressor. Good for improving and aerating soil structure.

• A shorter term alternative to White Clover, will usually last for two years 
• An aggressive plant, providing a large mass of green vegetation
• Fixes large amounts of atmospheric nitrogen which is released once ploughed in
• Large tap root which penetrates deep into the ground, improving soil structure
• Sowing rate: 15kg / ha

Sainfoin is ideal as a long term cover crop in free draining soils, with strong drought resistance and tolerance of low nitrogen soils.

• A nitrogen fixing perennial legume with good drought tolerance
• Excellent high protein forage for horses being very palatable 
• Copes well with poor nutrient soils and drought conditions
• Sainfoin leys can be considered to last four years or more
• Sowing rate: 65-100kg / ha

Triticale produces long straw with an excellent resistance to lodging. Impressive root development extracts nutrients from deep in the soil profile.

• A wheat/rye hybrid cereal providing good cover and feed in low fertility areas.
• Clean crop with a low susceptibility to fusarium and ergot 
• Resistant to attack from rabbits
• Higher grain yield than other leading varieties
• Sowing rate: 100kg / ha

Spring vetch is a nitrogen fixing legume which due to its larger seed size can be sown later in the year than most other legumes.

• Fast establishing legume which is an excellent weed suppressor 
• Vetches provide large amounts of nitrogen which is available to the following crop
• A vigorous trailing/climbing annual legume that does best on dry, alkaline soils
• Commonly sown as a mixture with Forage Rye
• Sowing rate: 50kg / ha

Sunflowers are another great option when it comes to cover crops, whether used straight or in a mixture to produce combined benefits.

• Standard tall variety.
• Excellent nectar rich flowers provide food for pollinators.
• Dead flower heads provide an ideal overwintering habitat for pollinators. 
• Frequently sown as part of a game cover mixture or with Kale.
• Sowing rate: 5kg per acre.

Tabor berseem clover is an annual, nitrogen-fixing legume often used in forage or green manures and as a key variety for companion cropping with oilseed rape.

• Suitable for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): IPM3
• The only single-cut berseem clover variety - does not regrow after frost kill
• Compatible in seed mixtures with grass and legumes
• Nitrogen fixing legume with rapid growth and establishment
• Sow from spring to early autumn. Not frost tolerant
• Suitable for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI): IPM3
• Sowing rate: 15kg/ha.

Vetch will fix substantial amounts of nitrogen, which is easily accessible for future crops. Vigorous spring growth suppresses weeds and protects the soil from erosion. 

• Fast establishing legume which is an excellent weed suppressor
• Provides substantial amounts of nitrogen which is available to the following crop
• A vigorous legume that does best on dry, alkaline soils
• Commonly sown as a mixture with Forage Rye
• Sowing rate: 50kg / ha

Very popular for use in potato rotations to control soil borne pests and can be incorporated into moist soil to maximise biofumigation.

• Green manure crop with biofumigant properties
• Winter-hardy, easy to establish, cost effective
• Reduces wireworm and PCN populations and their effect on potatoes
• Suppresses Verticillium wilt and Sclerotinia in potato production
• Sowing Rate: 5kg / ha
• VITTASSO Brown Mustard Brochure

White clover is widely used throughout the UK. It is an important element of many silage and grazing mixtures, thanks to its persistence and nitrogen fixing properties.

• A longer term and more persistent option than Red Clover
• Very palatable for livestock and high in protein 
• Continued defoliation stimulates root growth and nitrogen fixation
• Prefers to be shallow sown into a fine, firm seed bed
• Sowing rate: 5-10kg / ha

White mustard has extensive root development and an impressive yield of dry matter. If not incorporated, surviving plants are usually killed by winter frosts.

• Fast and easy to establish providing rapid ground cover and weed suppression
• Rapid breakdown of organic material after incorporation releases nutrients
• Extensive root development protects soil from errosion and breaks compaction
• Cost effective solution for using with crop rotations
• Sowing rate: 15kg / ha

With an extensive root development and an impressive yield of dry matter. If not incorporated, surviving plants are usually killed by winter frosts.

• Fast and easy to establish providing rapid ground cover and weed suppression
• Rapid breakdown of organic material after incorporation releases nutrients
• Extensive root development protects soil from errosion and breaks compaction
• Cost effective solution for using with crop rotations
• Sowing rate: 25kg / ha

Yellow Blossom Clover is a biennial plant that can persist for several years due to its self regenerating properties. 

• A deep rooted legume that improves soil structure and fertility
• Nectar rich specie which attracts pollinators to aid future crops
• Often sown with Kale to help provide cover in the first year
• Stems become woody in second year to help with standing
• Sowing rate: 5kg / ha