Legume Cover Crops

A low growing green cover crop which fixes nitrogen and suppresses weeds. Often sown amongst brassica crops.

• A perennial that gives good yields even on thin calcareous soils.
• May be grazed by sheep, main use is as a green manure undersown in cereals.
• Low growth habit makes it useful in vegetable intercropping systems.
• Sowing rate: 5kg per acre. Pack size: 5kg

A low growing green cover crop which fixes nitrogen and suppresses weeds. Often sown amongst brassica crops.

• A biennial/annual legume that gives good yields even on thin calcareous soils
• Few legumes outperform medic in soil-saving and soil-building
• May be grazed by sheep, main use is as a green manure undersown in cereals
• Low growth habit makes it useful in vegetable intercropping systems
• Sowing rate: 12kg / ha

Lupin is a highly efficient nitrogen fixer with a very aggressive taproot which grows deep into the soil and retrieves nutrients usually unavailable to other species. 

• Deep taproot breaks soil compaction and retrieves nutrients 
• Well adapted for acid soils but grows in soils up to pH 8
• Highly efficient at fixing nitrogen and extracting phosphorus from the soil 
• Can be cut for hay and high quality silage
• Sowing rate: 25kg/ha

Crimson clover is a brightly coloured legume which attracts a large numbers of insects. Tolerant of poor soils provided they are alkaline and free draining. 

• Excellent weed suppressor, fast establishing and good nitrogen fixer
• Lower yields of biomass than Red Clover but has much shorter growing period
• Biomass degrades very quickly in the soil releasing nutrients for future crops
• Will over-winter in Southern England for autumn sowing and spring incorporation
• Sowing rate: 15kg / ha

Lucerne is a longer term perennial clover which fixes large amounts of nitrogen from the air to enrich the soil.

• A longer term perennial clover which fixes large quantities of nitrogen
• Widely used for green manure
• Large tap root which is ideally suited to light and chalky soils as well as dry climates.
• Seed is supplied inoculated with rhizobium bacteria
• Sowing rate: 25kg / ha

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

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

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

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

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

BINGO purple vetch is an exciting development in short term cover cropping and establishes quickly producing good levels of bio-mass. Purple vetch is very susceptible to frost and will be removed quickly when temperatures drop below freezing. 

• Very frost sensitive
• Fast to establish
• Nitrogen fixing
• Suites early autumn sowings 
• Sowing rate: 20kg / 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

Hairy vetch 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

NACRE winter vetch is ideal for both Autumn or Spring sowing with superior establishment and frost tolerance. Strong nitrogen fixing properties and excellent resistance to disease.

• Superior establishment and fast growth act as an excellent weed suppressor
• Produces large amounts of nitrogen, which break down easily for the following crop
• Annual legume that performs best on dry, alkaline soils
• Commonly sown as a companion crop with Forage Rye
• Sowing rate: 50kg / ha

Crimson clover is a brightly coloured legume which attracts a large numbers of insects. Tolerant of poor soils provided they are alkaline and free draining. 

• Excellent weed suppressor, fast establishing and good nitrogen fixer
• Lower yields of biomass than Red Clover but has much shorter growing period
• Biomass degrades very quickly in the soil releasing nutrients for future crops
• Will over-winter in Southern England for autumn sowing and spring incorporation
• Sowing rate: 15kg / ha

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.