ORCHARD COVER CROPS

Annual Cover Crops

• Vetch - twines with low growing habit, excellent nitrogen producer, can twine into tree limbs. Tolerant of wet feet, purple blooms in spring. Grows 2-3 feet high under good fertility.
• Peas - twines with erect growth habit, excellent nitrogen producer, needs well drained soils (except California pea) can grow up to 3 feet high with good fertility.
• Bell beans - erect growing with tap root, hollow stems, excellent for root penetration, can grow up to 4 feet tall with good fertility. Deep rooting.
• Berseem Clover- erect growth. Excellent winter production. Produces lots of nitrogen quickly. Grows 12-18 inches high. Yellow blossom.
• Crimson Clover- erect growth. Excellent nitrogen production. Grows 18-254 inches high. Crimson colored blooms in spring.
• Sub. Clover- low growing, will reseed readily, several varieties available. Varieties that will tolerate wet soils, alkali soils and difficult conditions.
• Small grains (wheat, barley, oats)- erect growing producing lots of dry matter. Can be mixed with vetches and peas to add nitrogen. Easy to grow. Fibrous root system.

Perennial Cover Crops

• Alfalfa- erect growing, long lived, deep tap root.
• Ladino Clover- long lived, prostrate growth, large leaves.
• New Zealand white Clover- small leaves, low growing, long lived. Shade tolerant.
• Trefoil- long lived, yellow flowers, tolerates poor soils.
• Red Clover- short lived, tap rooted, tall growing.
• Strawberry clover- long lived, very drought tolerant.
• Turf type perennial ryegrass- low growing, long lived, quick establishment.
• Chewings Fescue- shade tolerant, spreads, low maintenance, fine leaved.
• Creeping Red Fescue- shade tolerant, spreads, low maintenance, long lived.

For more information on orchard cover crops, call Kellogg's Ag. Service @ 530/872-2624.

copyright 2002 Kellogg's Ag. Service