Winter Cover Crop - Late Sown Winter Cover
Ref: MIXCCL
Sown just before or after the combine, this super quick mix covers the soil, fixes N while the weather is warm and picks up N that would otherwise be washed out of the soil. This mix will stay green and continue to grow until severe frosts. The grass component provides a useful grazing bite.
Contents per Acre | % | kg | |
certified LIBONUS westerwolds ryegrass | 40.0 | 2.000 | |
certified KARDINAL crimson clover | 20.0 | 1.000 | |
certified AURORA alsike clover | 8.0 | 0.400 | |
certified Undercover brassica carinata | 10.0 | 0.500 | |
certified TORO Fodder Radish | 10.0 | 0.500 | |
certified DIAKON tillage radish | 6.0 | 0.300 | |
cerified Lilla phacelia | 6.0 | 0.300 |
Alsike Clover
Alsike clover is a short term perennial that fixes nitrogen. It is a true clover, not a hybrid as the name suggests. Compared to many annual clovers it can be the slowest to flower after a spring sowing.
Brown Mustard
This is a quick growing winter hardy brassica, sometimes known as Indian mustard. It has had more interest recently due to its ability to supress certain soil borne nematodes in high value cash crops like potatoes and sugar beet, it could potentially be an alternative way of dealing with pest without using artificial nematicides, using a technique called bio-fumigation.
Crimson Clover
An annual legume and true clover, traditionally sown in the south east of England for over-winter sheep keep.
Fodder Radish
Also commonly known as oil radish, fodder radish is a brassica, it is not a legume but it will hold any residual nitrogen in the soil, which it will then release as it breaks down over time. This species is slower to flower and go to seed than mustard and produces a deeper root system.
Phacelia
Phacelia is a rapidly growing, high biomass plant. It is a nitrogen holder and weed suppressor. Its eye catching purple flowers are particularly good at attracting bees and other beneficial insects.
Tillage Radish
Tillage radish is a deep rooted brassica, used to improve soil structure. It has a deep rooting ability to break through compacted layers and plough pans, creating better drainage and air movement within the soil. Although originally utilised in the states, it has been used in the Uk for the last several years.
Westerwold Ryegrass
Westerwolds is the highest yielding ryegrass with similar forage quality to the well known Italian ryegrass. This is an annual form of ryegrass which is very fast to establish, producing a silage crop just 12 weeks from sowing. It is the only grass to produce a stem and seed head from a spring sowing, making it suitable for the production of hay for horses, from a spring planting.
Westerwold Ryegrass Species Guide Buy Westerwold Ryegrass Straight