Cover crops are planted during the off-season after the main commodity for various benefits.

So…, what are the characteristics of a good cover crop?

• Requires only a short period to grow so that it doesn’t interfere with the main production seasons (usually fall and spring).
• It can offer much-needed rotation that can help improve soil health and possibly fix nitrogen in the soil.
• Some cover crops offer pest nematode suppression in the soil with various mechanisms. For example, Sunn hemp suppression to sting nematode after strawberry winter production in Florida. Click here for more details.
• Offer erosion protection when compared to fallow land during rainy and windy conditions.
• Compete with weeds for resources reducing their spread and reproduction.
• Some cover crops may offer a monetary return if foliage is harvested as animal feed.
• Environmentally, large dense cover crop foliage can increase atmospheric carbon capture, help with pollution reduction, and offer habitation to beneficial insects and wildlife. Also, it can help improve bee colonies’ health and offer a food source for wild pollinators between seasons.

Land conservation and best management incentives are offered by USDA and FDACS to encourage the adoption of cover crops in large-scale production.

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