cover crop agricology 2

Although the terms “cover crop” and “green manure” are often used interchangeably, the two are actually different, but related, concepts. The difference between green manure and cover crops is that cover crops are the actual plants, while green manure is created when the green plants are ploughed into the soil.

cover crop is a temporary vegetative cover that is grown to provide protection for the soil and the establishment of plants.  Many types of plants can be used as cover crops. Legumes and grasses (including cereals) are the most extensively used, but there is increasing interest in brassicas (such as rape, mustard, and forage radish) and continued interest in others, such as buckwheat. 

Green manure is created when fresh cover crops are incorporated into the soil. Like cover crops, green manure increases the level of nutrients and organic matter in the soil.

The table below provides links to existing practical information on the use of cover crops and green manures in agriculture.   

 

 TitleLanguageCountry Format  DescriptionOrganisation
Best4Soils: Green Manure and Cover Crops Practical Informaton EN Europe Video Different aspects of cover crops and green manures are presented in the video Best4Soil logo
Cover Crops: A practical guide to soil and system improvement EN UK Guidance document Information on the selection and management of cover crop options

NIAB TAG Membership | NIAB

NIAB TAG

Opportunities for cover crops in conventional arable rotations EN UK Fact sheet UK AHDB Cereals and Oils document introducing cover crops and providing case studies.

Government response to AHDB request for views published - GOV.UK

AHDB

Green Manure and cover crops in organic systems: guide to choosing species FR, EN, IT France Guidance document A detailed description of each species that can be used to guide farmers choice.  

Organic Farm Knowledge | Soil Association

Organic Farm Knowledge

Green Manures - species selection EN UK Fact sheet Horticulture Development Company factsheet on types of green manures.

Organic Research Centre (@OrgResCent) | Twitter

Organic Research Centre

A review of the benefits, optimal crop management practices and knowledge gaps associated with different cover crop species EN UK Report A comprehensive review of cover crops in the UK

Government response to AHDB request for views published - GOV.UK

AHDB

Short-term green manure strategies for intensive growers  EN UK

Videos

AHDB videos on green manures

Government response to AHDB request for views published - GOV.UK

AHDB

Sort Out Your Soil: a practical guide to Green Manures EN UK Guidance document Guide to green manure management and species details

Conventional and Organic mixes and straights | Cotswold Grass Seeds

Cotswolds Seeds

Cover Crop: Farmer experiences

Phil Jarvis (SoilCare study site)

Peter Cartwright

Richard Reed

David Blacker

Tom Bradshaw

Russ McKenzie

Jake Freestone

EN UK Real-Life Case Studies These publications feature farmers talking about their experiences using cover crops

Government response to AHDB request for views published - GOV.UK

AHDB

Green Manures EN UK Website Royal Horticultural Society webpage providing cultivating and selecting advice.

  logo-royal-horticultural-society-1523353789 - St Jérôme Church of England  Bilingual School

RHS

Cover Crop Basics EN US Guidance document A Cover Crop Guide including information on understanding quality, seed cost, species information and performance as well as recipes for success

Grassland Oregon Introduces the World's Most Cold-Tolerant Commercial  Clovers to Canada 

Grassland Oregon

Conserving Water with Cover Crops EN  Germany  Article   Discussion on the consumption of water by cover crops

DSV Seeds Denmark - Overview, Competitors, and Employees | Apollo.io 

DSV Seeds

Boosting on-farm soil organic matter with cover/catch crops EN, IT, ES, PL  Europe Fact sheet  Fact sheets from the EU SmartSOIL project

Sustainable and Climate Friendly Soil Management (SmartSOIL) | Ecologic  Institute: Science and Policy for a Sustainable World

 Smart Soil

Green manures - effects on soil nutrient management and soil physical and biological properties

EN

 

 

 

UK Fact sheet Horticulture Development Company factsheet on the effects of green manures on soils.

Government response to AHDB request for views published - GOV.UK

AHDB

Cover Crops: Conservation Crops Case Study EN UK Real-life case studies Features experiences of Hill Farm in Warwickshire as they use cover crops to aid their conservation efforts

Kings - KingsCrops 

Kings Crops

Cover Crops: Green Cover Case Study EN UK Real-life case studies Features experiences of 4Front Farming in Fife, as they use cover crops aiding sustainable farming practises

Kings - KingsCrops 

Kings Crops

Managing Cover Crops For Soil Health & Yield

EN

 

UK Article Discusses trial results on terminating cover crops and how best to reduce soil disturbance and inputs needed

Innovative Farmers | Agricology

Innovative Farmers

Using Cover Crops to Improve Soil and Water Quality EN US Fact sheet Fact sheet covering a review of the benefits of cover crops

Advanced Fact Sheet Search | Ohioline 

Ohio Line

Use of Cover Crops - Practical guide EN UK Practical guide Concentrates on the benefits of cover crops and how they can help farms adapt to climate change

 Farming and Water Scotland - Farming and Water Scotland

 FAS Scotland

A Guide to Growing Cover Crops EN UK Article A comprehensive guide on everything cover crop related: benefits, rotations, establishment, destruction, environmental options, species examples, seed rates and prices

Home - CCC Agronomy 

CCC Agronomy

How to select the best cover crop species for your farm EN UK Article Covers different considerations that need to be made when choosing cover crop varieties

Farmers Weekly - Farmer's Weekly 

Farmers Weekly

Sowing and growing... EN UK Practical guides Provides information on a range of cover cropping for different situations

Conventional and Organic mixes and straights | Cotswold Grass Seeds

Cotswolds Seeds

Green Manures EN UK Website DAERA information page covering the usage of green manures, composting and using brassicas

Home | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

DAERA

Short-term green manures for intensively cultivated horticultural soils EN UK Factsheet AHDB fact sheet on the difficulties of using green manure in intensive vegetable rotations

Government response to AHDB request for views published - GOV.UK

AHDB

Green manures EN UK Website Provides key information regarding green manures as a whole topic

Garden Organic | The Big Give

Garden Organic

Making the most of green manures EN UK Webinar Guide to farmers usage of green manures

  Agricology Podcast - Agricology | Listen Notes

Agricology

Case study: Green manures with Jonathon Boaz EN UK Case study/video Provides a farmer's view of how green manures can be used in practice

Conventional and Organic mixes and straights | Cotswold Grass Seeds

Cotswolds Seeds