Catch and Cover Crops - The low down

Catch and Cover Crops is an umbrella term used for a wide range of plants that are sown to improve soil heath. They fall into three main categories:

• Deep and fibrous rooting species that improve soil structure
• Green Manuring species that produce large biomass which increases the soil's organic matter content
• N Fixing species fix nitrogen throughout their life cycle which becomes available for subsequent crops to utilise.

All three categories of catch and cover crops help to prevent soil erosion and nitrogen from leaching over winter 

Catch & Cover crops can be sown as individual species or can be combined to create a soil enhancing mix. Mixtures can contribute all three benefits to a field and can provide ground cover over an extended time period. 

If you are confused as to what the best plants are for each category then take a look through our simple, straightforward menu. Alternatively, pick up the phone and speak to one of our advisors.

 

Written By

Rebecca Evans - Smartseeds Blogger