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Selection
How to use the Selection Tool
The Cover Crop selection tool aims to support you in making good choices when selecting the right species for your farm. Please use the main filters on the left-hand side when making your selection and use the reset button to refresh the page.
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Austrian Winter Peas
Legumes
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Austrian Winter Peas
(Pisum sativum, subsp. arvense)
Good species for winter hardiness
- An annual cool season broadleaf
- Nitrogen fixing and adapted to a range of soils, including heavy soils.
- Fast growing with good biomass production, winter hardy and high in protein, so a good forage source for livestock over winter.
- Flowers are used by bees, though less so by other beneficial insects.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
August to October
Seed Size:
5 - 8mm
Sowing Depth:
25 - 45mm
Sowing Rate:
70 - 110 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key pest natural enemies
Berseem clover
Legumes
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Berseem clover
(Trifolium alexandrinum)
Good species for nitrogen fixation
- Nitrogen fixing but needs to be sown before the end of August.
- Builds biomass quicker than native clovers to be an effective weed suppressor.
- It has a low grazing potential, with an average protein content of 25%.
- Not frost tolerable so more suited as a component of a catch crop mixture.
- Flowers are used by bees, though less so by other beneficial insects.
- Creates good soil tilth through a combination of deep tap roots and side shoots.
(Image: Yorkshire Agricultural Society / Holly Jones)
Sowing Period:
April to August
Seed Size:
1.5mm
Sowing Depth:
5 - 10mm
Sowing Rate:
10 - 22 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key pest natural enemies
Birdsfoot Trefoil
Legumes
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Birdsfoot Trefoil
(Lotus corniculatus)
Good species for winter hardiness
Good species for nitrogen fixation
- A Perennial, winter hardy cool season broadleaf
- Nitrogen fixing.
- Prostrate plant architecture.
- Forms arbuscular mycorrhizal associations.
- Flowers are used by bees, though less so by other beneficial insects.
- Suitable for grazing, has anthelmintic properties that can improve livestock health. Average protein content of 20%.
- Creates good soil tilth, but dislikes poor and compacted soils
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
March to October
Seed Size:
1mm
Sowing Depth:
8 -12mm
Sowing Rate:
12.5 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key pest natural enemies
Black Oats
Cereals
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Black Oats
(Avena strigosa)
Good species for winter hardiness
- An annual winter hardy cereal.
- Good grazing potential, with an average protein content of 20%.
- Good winter hardiness unless prolonged frosts.
- Rapid and high biomass production if planted before the end of August, making it an effective weed suppressor. Also shown to exhibit allelopathic effects on weeds.
- Poor pollinator effects/associations.
- Can break disease cycles.
- An extensive fibrous rooting system can help to alleviate compacted soils.
- Easy to terminate and have a lower C:N ratio than other grasses meaning that the scavenged nutrients are more likely to be accessible to the following crop.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
August to October
Seed Size:
6mm
Sowing Depth:
25mm
Sowing Rate:
50 - 75 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
No
Brown Mustard
Brassicas
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Brown Mustard
(Brassica juncea)
Good species for winter hardiness
- Contains high levels of glucosinolates therefore has biofumigant properties.
- Stronger biofumigation potential than white mustard.
- Good at compaction busting.
- Fast growing.
- large root growth.
- winter hardy.
- Fast and high biomass production.
- Reliable establishment.
(Image: Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
April to September
Seed Size:
1.5mm
Sowing Depth:
5 - 10mm
Sowing Rate:
5 - 7.5 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Poor / limited to a few species - Flowers know to utilised by several species of bees but not key pest natural enemies
Camelina
Brassicas
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Camelina
(Camelina sativa)
Good species for winter hardiness
- Grazing friendly.
- Winter hardy.
- Fast growing, large root growth.
- Fast and high biomass production.
- Reliable establishment.
- Compaction busting.
- Good at erosion control.
- Provides bird seed in winter.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
May to August
Seed Size:
1mm
Sowing Depth:
10mm
Sowing Rate:
12.5 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to used by limited species of bees but not key pest natural enemies
Cereal Rye
Cereals
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Cereal Rye
(Secale cereale)
Good species for winter hardiness
Good species for nutrient capture and storage
- An annual winter hardy cereal.
- Produces a high biomass, which makes rye a good feed source for livestock over winter. Average protein content of 15-20%. Rapid growth allows for excellent weed suppression. Also shown to exhibit allelopathic effects on weeds.
- Poor pollinator effects/associations.
- Extensive fibrous rooting system prevents soil erosion and creates a good soil tilth.
- Excellent scavenging of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous, which helps to prevent nitrate leaching over winter.
- Can lock up scavenged nutrients if allowed to go to seed.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
August to October
Seed Size:
6mm
Sowing Depth:
10 - 20mm
Sowing Rate:
50 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
No
Common Buckwheat
Others
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Common Buckwheat
(Fagopyrum esculentum)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
Some plant species may need additional care taken to avoid hazard to livestock
- Annual, warm season broadleaf.
- Not frost tolerant.
- Rapid, early growth allows for excellent weed suppression but not winter hardy and susceptible to first cold weather, and limited biomass production.
- The pollen rich flowers are known to be used by several species of bees and other beneficial insects.
- Good scavenger of phosphorus.
- Creates good soil tilth through a combination of tap roots and side shoots, but dislikes poor and compacted soils.
Warning: Not advisable for grazing due to photosensitivity in livestock.
(Image: Kings Crops /Frontier)
Sowing Period:
May to August
Seed Size:
4 - 6mm
Sowing Depth:
15 - 20mm
Sowing Rate:
50 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies
Common Vetch
Legumes
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Common Vetch
(Vicia sativa)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
Good species for winter hardiness
Good species for nitrogen fixation
- An annual, winter hardy cool season broadleaf.
- Prostrate plant architecture.
- Nitrogen fixing.
- Forms arbuscular mycorrhizal associations.
- Flowers are used by bees and key beneficial insects.
- Produces a high biomass, so can provide a good feed source for livestock over winter. Average protein content of 28%.
- Creates good soil tilth, but dislikes poor and compacted soils.
- Pea and bean weevil can be a risk to vetch.
(Image: AHDB)
Sowing Period:
March to October
Seed Size:
5mm
Sowing Depth:
10 - 20mm
Sowing Rate:
85 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and pest natural enemies
Crimson Clover
Legumes
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Crimson Clover
(Trifolium incarnatum)
Good species for nitrogen fixation
- An annual nitrogen-fixing legume.
- Suitable for grazing but not frost tolerable, average protein content of 25%.
- Establishes quickly to be an effective weed suppressor.
- The crimson flowers are known to be used by bees, though less so by other beneficial insects.
- Creates good soil tilth through a combination of tap roots and side shoots.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
April to August
Seed Size:
2.5 - 3mm
Sowing Depth:
10mm
Sowing Rate:
15 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key pest natural enemies
Faba Bean
Legumes
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Faba Bean
(Vicia faba)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
Good species for winter hardiness
Good species for nitrogen fixation
Some plant species may need additional care taken to avoid hazard to livestock
- An annual cool season broadleaf.
- Nitrogen fixing.
- Winter varieties more frost tolerant than spring varieties.
- Forms arbuscular mycorrhizal associations.
- Flowers are used by bees, though less so by other beneficial insects. Produces extra floral nectar.
- Creates good soil tilth, but dislikes poor and compacted soils.
Warning: Sowing depends on whether it is a Spring or Winter variety
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
March to September (See warning)
Seed Size:
10 - 20mm
Sowing Depth:
35 - 40mm
Sowing Rate:
200 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key pest natural enemies, though produces extrafloral nectar
Field Peas
Legumes
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Field Peas
(Pisum sativum L.)
Good species for winter hardiness
Good species for nitrogen fixation
- An annual cool season broadleaf.
- Winter hardy.
- Upright vine type plant architecture.
- Nitrogen fixing.
- Forms arbuscular mycorrhizal associations.
- Flowers are used by bees, though less so by other beneficial insects.
- Creates good soil tilth, but dislikes poor and compacted soils.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
March to August
Seed Size:
10mm
Sowing Depth:
30 - 40mm
Sowing Rate:
250 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key pest natural enemies
Forage Rape
Brassicas
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Forage Rape
(Brassica napus)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
Good species for winter hardiness
- Grazing friendly.
- Winter hardy.
- Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pests and natural enemies.
- Fast growing, large root growth.
- Fast and high biomass production.
- Reliable establishment.
- Compaction busting.
- Average grazing potential.
- Good at erosion control.
(Image: Image: Kings/Frontier)
Sowing Period:
March to October
Seed Size:
2mm
Sowing Depth:
10mm
Sowing Rate:
1.25 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Very good for mulitple species - Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies
Forage Rye
Cereals
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Forage Rye
(Secale cereale)
Good species for winter hardiness
Good species for nutrient capture and storage
- An annual winter hardy cereal.
- Produces a high biomass, which makes rye a good feed source for livestock over winter.
- Rapid growth allows for excellent weed suppression. Also shown to exhibit allelopathic effects on weeds.
- Poor pollinator effects/associations.
- Extensive fibrous rooting system prevents soil erosion and creates a good soil tilth.
- Excellent scavenging of potassium, and phosphorous, which helps to prevent nitrate leaching over winter.
(Copyright: Alan Bennett/ Media Imaging Solutions 2014)
Sowing Period:
August to October
Seed Size:
6mm
Sowing Depth:
10 - 20mm
Sowing Rate:
50 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
No
Kale / Rape Hybrid
Brassicas
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Kale / Rape Hybrid
(Brassica napus)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
Good species for winter hardiness
- Can store large amounts of nutrients and biomass.
- Grazing friendly.
- Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pests and natural enemies.
- Fast growing.
- Large root growth.
- Winter hardy.
- Reliable establishment.
- Compaction busting.
- Good at erosion control.
(Image: Kings Crops /Frontier)
Sowing Period:
April to August
Seed Size:
2mm
Sowing Depth:
10mm
Sowing Rate:
7.5 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Very good for multiple species - Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies
Linseed (Spring)
Others
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Linseed (Spring)
(Chenopodium quinoa)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
Some plant species may need additional care taken to avoid hazard to livestock
- Annual, cool season broadleaf.
- Thin upright growth habit.
- Not frost tolerant.
- Can be difficult to establish if planting later.
- Flowers are known to be used by several species of bees and other beneficial insects.
- Shallow fine root system to create a friable seed bed and is a good biological “primer” for a cereal cash crop.
- Will grow on most soil types, establishes well in a fine, firm seedbed.
Warning: Linseed contains products which may produce cyanide. This can be released when grazed and can be toxic to animals. Please seek professional advice when selecting this species in reference to its suitability for grazing.
Image: AHDB
Sowing Period:
April to June
Seed Size:
2mm
Sowing Depth:
<25mm
Sowing Rate:
50 kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies
Linseed (Winter)
Others
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Linseed (Winter)
(Chenopodium quinoa)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
Some plant species may need additional care taken to avoid hazard to livestock
- Small thin like plant
- Hard to establish in late planting.
- Good fine root system.
- Very good biological “primer” for a cereal cash crop.
- Frost tolerant.
Warning: Linseed contains products which may produce cyanide. This can be released when grazed and can be toxic to animals. Please seek professional advice when selecting this species in reference to its suitability for grazing.
(Image: AHDB)
Sowing Period:
July to October
Seed Size:
2mm
Sowing Depth:
<25mm
Sowing Rate:
50 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies
Lupin
Legumes
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Lupin
(Lupinus spp)
Good species for nitrogen fixation
- An annual, nitrogen-fixing legume.
- Suitable for grazing and silage, good biomass production with a high (up to 40%) protein content.
- Flowers are used by bees, though less so by other beneficial insects.
- Deep tap root makes it a good structure improver.
- Creates good soil tilth, but struggled to penetrate compacted soils.
- Works well with tillage raddish.
NB:
- Blue Lupin tends to do better in the North of England.
- White Lupin tends to do better in the South of England.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
April to June
Seed Size:
8 - 16mm
Sowing Depth:
30 - 40mm
Sowing Rate:
Varies by species
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key pest natural enemies
Oil Radish (Fodder)
Brassicas
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Oil Radish (Fodder)
(Raphanus sativus)
Good species for winter hardiness
Good species for nutrient capture and storage
- Fast growing, large root growth.
- Not Nitrogen fixing but can store large amounts of nutrients and biomass.
- Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and limited PNE’s.
- Reliable establishment.
- Good weed suppression.
- Average grazing potential.
- Compaction busting.
- Good at erosion control.
(Image: Kings Crops/Frontier)
Sowing Period:
March to October
Seed Size:
3 - 4mm
Sowing Depth:
10mm
Sowing Rate:
15 Kg/ka
Beneficial insects
Good / limited to certain species - Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and limited pests and natural enemies
Phacelia
Brassicas
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Phacelia
(Phacelia tanacetifolia)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
Good species for winter hardiness
- Annual, cool season broadleaf.
- Suitable for grazing and provides good winter hardiness unless prolonged frosts.
- Rapid, early growth allows for excellent weed suppression.
- Flowers are known to be used by several species of bees and other beneficial insects.
- Shallow but extensive and fibrous root system prevents soil erosion and creates a good soil tilth. Good structure improver.
- Can be issues with volunteer phacelia in the following crops if it’s allowed to go to seed.
(Image: Yorkshire Agricultural Society / Holly Jones)
Sowing Period:
April to early September
Seed Size:
1.5mm
Sowing Depth:
<25mm
Sowing Rate:
2 - 3 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies
Quinoa
Others
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Quinoa
(Chenopodium quinoa)
Some plant species may need additional care taken to avoid hazard to livestock
- Annual, warm season broadleaf.
- Poor frost tolerance at early seedling stage, it is a good addition to a summer cover crop mixture.
- Once established, the crop can grow rapidly to be an effective weed suppressor.
- Poor pollinator effects/associations.
- Provides multiple seed heads which are highly nutritious and a great source of protein to game birds and wildlife.
- Extensive fibrous rooting system creates a good soil tilth.
- Prefers light-to-medium soils, dislikes heavier land.
(Image: Kings Crops/Frontier)
Sowing Period:
April to June
Seed Size:
3mm
Sowing Depth:
<25mm
Sowing Rate:
<4 kg/ha
Beneficial insects
No
Red Clover
Legumes
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Red Clover
(Trifolium pratense)
Good species for winter hardiness
Good species for nitrogen fixation
Some plant species may need additional care taken to avoid hazard to livestock
- A perennial, winter hardy nitrogen-fixing legume.
- The red flowers are known to be used by bees, though less so by other beneficial insects.
- Unlike white clover, it has an upright growth habit and a strong, deep tap root. Good structure improver. Can be grown on a variety of soil types but dislikes compacted soils
Warning: Suitable for grazing, but do not feed red clover to breeding ewes for six weeks before and after tupping. Red clover contains high levels of phytoestrogens, which can cause fertility issues in stock. Average protein content of 14-19%.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
April to August
Seed Size:
2 - 3mm
Sowing Depth;
10 - 20mm
Sowing Rate:
15 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key key pest natural enemies
Sunflower
Others
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Sunflower
(Helianthus annuus)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
- Annual, warm season broadleaf.
- Average grazing potential, not winter hardy but good biomass production.
- Poor competition with weeds but there is some evidence of allelopathic effects on weeds.
- The yellow flowers are known to be used by several species of bees and other beneficial insects.
- Offers an overwintering habitat for pollinators, such as ladybirds, and bird seed in winter.
- Creates good soil tilth through a combination of strong tap roots and side shoots. Good structure improver.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
April to August
Seed Size:
10mm
Sowing Depth:
10 - 20mm
Sowing Rate:
12.5 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies
Sunn Hemp
Legumes
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Sunn Hemp
(Crotalaria juncea)
- Nitrogen fixing with a tap root, good early growth and medium biomass production.
- Flowers are used by bees, though less so by other beneficial insects.
- May suppress weeds and root nematodes.
- Good at creating a soil tilth, but may not do well in poor or compacted soils.
Warning: Can be grazed pre-flowering but be aware that seeds contain potentially toxic alkaloids post-flowering.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
March to September
Seed Size:
6mm
Sowing Depth:
12.5 - 25mm
Sowing Rate:
100 - 200 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key pest natural enemies
Tatarium Buckwheat
Others
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Tatarium Buckwheat
(Fagopyrum tataricum)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
Good species for nutrient capture and storage
Some plant species may need additional care taken to avoid hazard to livestock
- Annual warm season broadleaf.
- Not frost tolerant.
- Rapid early growth allows for excellent weed suppression but not winter hardy and susceptible to first cold weather, and limited biomass production.
- The pollen rich flowers are known to be used by several species of bees and other beneficial insects.
- Good scavenger of phosphorus.
- Creates good soil tilth through a combination of tap roots and side shoots, but dislikes poor and compacted soils.
Warning: Not advisable for grazing due to photosensitivity in livestock.
(Image: Kings Crops/Frontier)
Sowing Period:
May to August
Seed Size:
TBC
Sowing Depth:
20 - 30mm
Sowing Rate:
50Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key pests or natural enemies
Tillage Raddish (Daikon)
Brassicas
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Tillage Raddish (Daikon)
(Raphanus sativus)
Good species for nutrient capture and storage
- Particularly deep tap root.
- Helps to improve soil’s structure and drainage. by drilling down through heavy soils and compacted layers.
- Not nitrogen fixing but can store large amounts of nutrients and biomass.
- Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and limited PNEs.
- Good weed suppression.
- Average potential grazing.
- Compaction busting.
- Fast growing, large root growth, winter hardy.
- Fast and high biomass production, reliable establishment.
(Image: Kings Crops/Frontier)
Sowing Period:
April to October
Seed Size:
3 - 5mm
Sowing Depth:
10mm
Sowing Rate:
10 -15 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Good / limited to certain species - Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and limited pests and natural enemies
Turnip Rape
Brassicas
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Turnip Rape
(Brassica napus)
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies (PNEs)
Good species for winter hardiness
- Grazing friendly.
- Winter hardy.
- Fast growing, large root growth.
- Fast and high biomass production.
- Reliable establishment.
- Compaction busting.
- Good at erosion control.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
April to August
Seed Size:
2mm
Sowing Depth:
10mm
Sowing Rate:
5 - 7.5 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Very good for multiple species - Flowers known to be used by several species of bees and key pest natural enemies
White Clover
Legumes
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White Clover
(Trifolium repens)
Good species for winter hardiness
Good species for nitrogen fixation
- A perennial, winter hardy nitrogen-fixing legume.
- Small, medium, and large-leaved varieties. Smaller leaved varieties are more persistent than larger leaved.
- Suitable for grazing but can cause bloat in cattle if consumed in excess. Average protein content of 25-25%.
- Flowers are used by bees, though less so by other beneficial insects.
- Shallow rooting with creeping surface stolons, it is good at creating a soil tilth. Can be grown on a variety of soil types but dislikes compacted soils.
(Image: AHDB)
Sowing Period:
April to August
Seed Size:
1mm
Sowing Depth:
5 - 10mm
Sowing Rate:
10 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers known to be used by several species of bees but not key pest natural enemies
White Mustard
Brassicas
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White Mustard
(Sinapis alba)
- Contains high levels of glucosinolates therefore has biofumigant properties e.g. to help control PCN ahead of potatoes.
- Good at compaction busting.
- Fast growing.
- Large root growth.
- Winter hardy.
- Fast and high biomass production.
- Reliable establishment.
(Image: Kings Crops / Frontier)
Sowing Period:
April to September
Seed Size:
2mm
Sowing Depth:
5 - 10mm
Sowing Rate:
12 - 17 Kg/ha
Beneficial insects
Flowers know to utilised by several species of bees and limited pest natural enemies
Angus Gowthorpe, Approach Farm, Escrick, Yorkshire
Angus shares his journey of adopting regenerative ag approaches, reasons and first-hand experiences using cover crops, considerations for selecting species and what you want to achieve from the cover crop and the difference between catch crops and cover crops.
Dr Dave George, Chair, Farmer Scientist Network
Dr Dave George of Newcastle University’s School of Natural and Environmental Sciences has specialist knowledge in the use of biopesticides and precision agriculture technology and is passionate about driving forward future farming systems to benefit food production.
Useful resources:
