Preparing Fields for Winter: Q&A on Cover Crops

Blaine Winger, agricultural specialist/district technician at Mahoning SWCD, recently answered a few important questions on using cover crops to prepare fields for winter.

What cover crops are best for reducing erosion?

There is not one cover crop in particular that is used for reducing soil erosion, however, rye and oats have a faster germination rate. This quick germination period aids in holding sediment prior to the main species of cover crops germinating.

What cover crops are best to help break up compacted land?

Turnips and beets are used to assist with breaking up compacted farmland via use of their large tap root system and bulb.

Which cover crops are best to restore nutrients to the soils that the previous year’s crops may have depleted?

This depends on what crop was put in for harvest the prior year and what crop is intended for the following year, which is why a rotation of beans to corn and corn to beans is common. Beans are a legume that replenish nitrogen and corn tends to deplete a ground of nitrogen. Often, legumes are used as cover crops. Additionally, cover crops can be planted for secondary purposes such as extended grazing season for livestock or as a wildlife attractant. 

How does wheat assist with restoring nutrients to soils? 

Winter wheat can be grown as a cash crop or a cover crop, however, you should manage each independently. Wheat is considered a legume, therefore it releases nitrogen heavily in the spring and takes up nitrogen slowly in the fall.

How do you remove cover crops for next year’s planting?

The most common way is to spray a herbicide. However, less intrusive methods for an organic certified farmer would be to use a roller/crimper. This method crushes the stem thereby killing the plant and allowing it to naturally decay into the soil.