Cover crop grow guides
Cover crops guides
Biofumigant Mustard
How to grow biofumigant mustard as a cover crop in Australia: when to sow, how to chop and dig it in at first flower, what it can do, and the state weed lists.
| Position | Full sun; tolerates part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 to 10 mm |
| Spacing | Broadcast, rate per blend |
| First pick | When a quarter flower, about 5 to 16 weeks |
Buckwheat Cover Crop
How to grow buckwheat as a summer cover crop in Australia: when to sow, seed rate and depth, when to cut and dig it in, and what the state weed lists say.
| Position | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 10 to 25 mm |
| Spacing | Scatter 7 to 8 g per square metre |
| First pick | Cut in flower, 5 to 8 weeks from sowing |
Chicken Forage Mix
Grow a chicken forage patch in Australia: when and how to sow the mix, keeping hens off until it roots, rotational grazing and which plants need a safety check.
Harmful to cats and dogs| Position | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Depth | 5 to 10 mm |
| Spacing | 2 to 3 g per square metre |
| First pick | First graze 8 to 14 weeks |
Cover Crop Mixes
How to grow cover crop mixes in Australia: choosing a mix by season and soil temperature, sowing rates, when to cut and dig in, and state weed list status.
Some mixes harmful to cats and dogs| Position | Full sun, 6 hours or more |
|---|---|
| Depth | 1 to 2 cm; 2 to 3 for cereals |
| Spacing | Broadcast; rate varies by mix |
| First pick | 6 to 16 weeks, at flowering |
Lablab
How to grow lablab as a summer cover crop in Australia: sowing rate, depth and inoculant, when to slash and dig it in, and where it stands on state weed lists.
Raw seed harmful to people| Position | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Depth | 30 to 50 mm |
| Spacing | 2 g per square metre |
| First pick | At first flower buds or before frost |
No guides match.
Articles and lessons
All cover crops
Cover Crops for Australian Gardens: A Beginner's Guide
A cover crop is a fast-growing crop you sow to feed and protect your soil rather than to harvest. Here is a beginner's guide to what...
Winter Cover Crops by Climate Zone: What to Sow and When
Winter cover crops are cool-season crops you sow in autumn to protect and feed the soil over winter, then turn in before spring. Here is what...
Cover Crops as a Summer Bridge: What to Sow After Winter Crops and Before Your Summer Garden
Cover crops bridge the gap between winter and summer crops, feeding the soil for free. What to sow, why it helps, and how to turn it...