As fall arrives in North Florida, fields begin to rest after a long growing season, but the soil shouldn’t go to sleep. Planting cover crops in the fall can protect your fields from erosion, improve fertility, and build soil health through the winter months. Whether you manage vegetable plots or pastureland, cover crops are a simple and cost-effective way to prepare for next year’s success.
Here are five cover crops that perform exceptionally well in Columbia County and throughout North Florida.
Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum)
Nitrogen fixation, pollinator support, and spring biomass
Crimson clover is a popular cool-season legumes in North Florida. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen, reducing fertilizer needs for spring crops. Its bright red flowers in early spring also provide a valuable nectar source for honeybees and native pollinators.
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Planting window: September–November
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Seeding rate: 15–20 lbs/acre drilled
Termination: Mow or roll at early bloom before seed set
Rye (Secale cereale)
Erosion control and weed suppression
Rye is a hardy grass that thrives in sandy soils and cooler temperatures. It produces dense growth that protects soil from erosion and shades out winter weeds. It’s also a good choice to mix with legumes like clover or vetch.
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Planting window: October–December
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Seeding rate: 60–90 lbs/acre drilled
- Termination: Mow or roller-crimp before planting spring crops
Oats (Avena sativa)
Grazing and organic matter
Oats grow quickly in fall, making them excellent for temporary forage and early soil coverage. They don’t tolerate freezing as well as rye, so they’re best suited for early planting in our area.
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Planting window: September–October
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Seeding rate: 60–100 lbs/acre drilled
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Termination: Winter-killed or mowed before heading
Austrian Winter Pea (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense)
Nitrogen fixation and early-spring biomass
Austrian winter peas pair well with small grains. They produce abundant viney growth and provide up to 100 lbs of nitrogen per acre when incorporated in spring.
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Planting window: October–November
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Seeding rate: 30–60 lbs/acre drilled
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Termination: Roll or till at flowering
Radish (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus)
Soil compaction and nutrient scavenging
Often called “tillage radish,” this brassica sends deep taproots that break up hardpans and improve infiltration. As the roots decompose, they leave channels for air and water—helping roots of next season’s crops.
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Planting window: September–October
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Seeding rate: 8–12 lbs/acre drilled
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Termination: Winter-killed or mowed
How to choose your cover crop?
- Your goal: Are you primarily looking to add nitrogen (legume), break up compacted soil (daikon radish), or suppress weeds (cereal rye).
- Planting time: Some crops should be planted earlier in the fall than others to establish before winter.
- Mixed plantings: Combining grasses and legumes gives the best of both worlds, rye provides structure and erosion control, while legumes like clover or peas supply nitrogen. A simple and effective North Florida mix might include rye + crimson clover + radish for balanced soil building and easy spring termination. Combining legumes with non-legume crops (like rye and clover) also provides a wider variety of benefits, including attracting beneficial insects and adding more diverse organic matter to the soil.
- Management: Consider the spring management requirements. A crop that winter-kills (like oats) is simpler to deal with in the spring than a winter-hardy crop like rye, which needs to be terminated.
- Soil type: Take into account your specific soil. For example, winter wheat is more tolerant of heavy soils than oats
Cover crops aren’t just for large operations; they’re one of the most cost-effective tools for improving soil health on any scale. Planting this fall can set the stage for better fertility, fewer weeds, and more resilient crops in 2026. Getting your soil tested will help you determine if you need to add any specific nutrients, especially if you are planting a legume/brassica mix.
For further information: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/agriculture/cover-crops/
For more information about cover crop management, seed sources, or soil sampling, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County Office at (386) 752-5384
Authors
Dr. Derrick R. Conover, UF/IFAS Extension, Columbia County
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