Cover crops are essential tools for farmers and gardeners, not just in the winter months but also during the summer. While many think of cover crops as a winter solution, there are several varieties of summer cover crops that can be equally beneficial.
These crops provide numerous benefits to the soil, such as preventing erosion, improving soil health, and increasing nutrient content. In this article, FnB Tech will explore five proven summer cover crops to plant now, focusing on the best options for your garden or farm.
Contents
What Are Cover Crops and Why Plant Them in Summer?
Cover crops are plants grown to cover the soil rather than being harvested for food or other purposes. These crops help maintain soil structure, improve its fertility, and prevent erosion. Some of the key benefits of cover crops include:
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Erosion Control: Cover crops prevent the soil from being washed away by rainfall or blown away by wind.
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Nutrient Cycling: Certain cover crops, such as legumes, can fix nitrogen in the soil, enhancing its fertility.
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Weed Suppression: Thick plant growth from cover crops can outcompete weeds, reducing the need for herbicides.
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Organic Matter: When cover crops decompose, they add valuable organic matter to the soil, improving its texture and moisture retention.
Planting cover crops during the summer can be particularly beneficial because they help maintain soil health during the peak growing season. In addition, some summer cover crops can be harvested as food or for livestock feed, offering additional benefits.
Read also: Top Drought-Resistant Crops for Thriving in Water-Scarce Conditions
5 Proven Summer Cover Crops to Plant Now
1. Buckwheat
Buckwheat is an excellent summer cover crop, especially for those with limited space or shorter growing seasons. It grows quickly and can be planted after your main crops have been harvested. Here’s why it’s a great option:
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Benefits of Buckwheat: Buckwheat helps suppress weeds due to its rapid growth and dense canopy. It’s also great at attracting pollinators and beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs.
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How to Plant and Care for Buckwheat: Plant buckwheat seeds directly in the soil, ensuring they’re well-spaced. It thrives in well-draining soil with full sun exposure. Make sure to water regularly, but avoid overwatering.
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Best Conditions for Buckwheat: Buckwheat does best in soils that are slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0.
2. Cowpeas
Cowpeas are a leguminous cover crop that excels in the summer due to their ability to withstand heat and drought. This crop is particularly popular in warmer regions where other cover crops may struggle.
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Why Cowpeas are a Great Summer Cover Crop: Cowpeas are drought-tolerant and can handle high temperatures, making them an ideal choice for summer cover cropping. They also fix nitrogen, enriching the soil for subsequent crops.
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Cowpeas’ Impact on Soil Fertility: Cowpeas add valuable nitrogen to the soil, which can benefit the next crop planted. This makes them a great option for improving soil fertility.
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Planting Tips for Cowpeas: Cowpeas should be planted in well-draining, fertile soil. They need full sun and should be spaced about 3 inches apart. Regular watering is necessary, especially during dry spells.
3. Sunn Hemp
Sunn hemp is a fast-growing summer cover crop that improves soil health by adding organic matter and fixing nitrogen. It’s particularly beneficial in tropical and subtropical climates.
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How Sunn Hemp Improves the Soil: Sunn hemp is known for its ability to fix nitrogen, making it an excellent choice for improving soil fertility. Additionally, its deep roots help break up compacted soil and improve drainage.
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Planting Sunn Hemp and Its Growth Cycle: Sunn hemp grows quickly, reaching maturity in about 60-90 days. It can be cut and left to decompose, adding valuable organic matter to the soil.
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Ideal Conditions for Sunn Hemp: Sunn hemp thrives in warm temperatures and well-drained, loamy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
4. Millet
Millet is a warm-season grass that is drought-tolerant and can be used as a summer cover crop. It’s especially beneficial in regions where rainfall is limited.
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Benefits of Millet as a Summer Cover Crop: Millet helps prevent soil erosion and is particularly effective at suppressing weeds. It also improves soil structure by adding organic matter when decomposed.
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Growing and Maintaining Millet: Millet is easy to plant, requiring only light, well-drained soil. It needs full sun and regular watering, but it can tolerate dry periods once established.
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Best Practices for Millet Planting: Plant millet in early summer, making sure the soil is not too compacted. The seeds should be sown about 1/2 inch deep.
5. Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrid
Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are among the best cover crops for improving soil health in the summer. These crops are excellent at preventing erosion and improving soil structure.
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What Makes Sorghum-Sudangrass a Powerful Cover Crop: Sorghum-sudangrass is a high-biomass crop that grows quickly, making it a great option for controlling weeds and preventing soil erosion. It also helps break up compacted soil with its deep root system.
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How Sorghum-Sudangrass Supports Soil Health: This hybrid helps improve soil structure, suppresses weeds, and increases organic matter content. It’s ideal for fallow fields or areas with heavy soil compaction.
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Steps to Plant and Manage Sorghum-Sudangrass: Sorghum-sudangrass should be planted in late spring or early summer when temperatures are consistently warm. It thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Benefits of Summer Cover Crops
There are some benefits that you’ll get when planting of summer cover crops, such as:
Erosion Control
Summer cover crops are excellent for preventing soil erosion, especially after heavy rain. Their roots hold the soil in place, reducing runoff and keeping the topsoil intact.
Weed Suppression
Cover crops can outcompete weeds for sunlight, water, and nutrients. By planting a thick layer of cover crops, you can significantly reduce weed pressure without the use of harmful herbicides.
Enhancing Soil Fertility
Many summer cover crops, like legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil. This nitrogen is then available to your next crop, improving soil fertility and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Promoting Biodiversity
Cover crops attract pollinators and beneficial insects, which contribute to a healthier ecosystem. This biodiversity helps keep your garden or farm balanced and resilient to pests and diseases.
Read also: Top 10 Fruits in Horticulture Crops and Their Global Impact
Conclusion
Summer cover crops are an excellent way to improve the health and fertility of your soil during the warmer months. Whether you choose buckwheat for its fast growth or cowpeas for their nitrogen-fixing ability, each of the five cover crops discussed here provides unique benefits to your garden or farm.
By planting summer cover crops, you not only protect your soil from erosion but also enhance its fertility and biodiversity for future growing seasons.
FAQs
1. What Are the Best Summer Cover Crops?
The best summer cover crops vary based on climate and soil type. However, popular options include buckwheat, cowpeas, sunn hemp, millet, and sorghum-sudangrass. These crops thrive in warm conditions and provide excellent soil benefits.
2. Can Cover Crops Be Used in Summer?
Yes, cover crops can be used in summer. Many summer cover crops are drought-tolerant, heat-resistant, and fast-growing, making them ideal for improving soil health during the warmer months.
3. How Do Cover Crops Improve Soil Health?
Cover crops improve soil health by adding organic matter, fixing nitrogen, preventing erosion, and suppressing weeds. Their deep roots help break up compacted soil and improve drainage.
4. When Should I Plant Summer Cover Crops?
Summer cover crops should be planted after your main crops have been harvested or during periods when the soil would otherwise be left bare. Planting in late spring or early summer ensures they have enough time to grow and provide maximum benefits.
5. How Long Should You Leave Cover Crops in the Ground?
Cover crops should generally be left in the ground for a minimum of 30 days, although this can vary depending on the crop type. For some species, leaving them for the full growing season maximizes the benefits.
