Cover crops are used to build soil organic matter, break up hard pans, provide a ground cover to reduce erosion and offer competition to weeds.
Which cover crop species you grow depends on:
Purpose to grow the crop
Erosion mangement
Weed Competion
Nitrogen contribution
Deep root penetration
Adding organic matter and carbon to the soil
Provide a living multch for your next crop
What time of year are you growing the cover
Frost seeded (Feb or March)
Spring/Early Summer
Fall
How you want to manage it to incorporate into soil
Frost Killed
Cultivate and incorporate
Crimping to break stems to begin break down (no-till)
How long do you want it to grow
Good cover over the winter
Quick cover for early spring
Short-term coverage in the summer
Cover with opportunity to harvest for animals and organic matter
Click on Links for Cover Crop Resources