Cover Crop 1
Buckwheat
Fagopyrum esculentum
Fast summer smother crop and pollinator support.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Spring after frost through late summer; great between quick crop successions
- Frost: Frost-tender; winterkills at first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-10
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 3-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 2
Crimson Clover
Trifolium incarnatum
Cool-season nitrogen fix and spring bloom.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer to fall in mild climates; early spring in cold climates
- Frost: Moderately frost tolerant; overwinters in mild and many midrange zones
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to part sunEasyUSDA Zones 5-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 3
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
Nitrogen building and soil structure improvement.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Early spring or late summer to early fall
- Frost: Cold hardy and reliably frost tolerant
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to part sunEasyUSDA Zones 4-8Cool Season
Cover Crop 4
White Clover
Trifolium repens
Living mulch between paths and perennial rows.
- Type: living mulch legume cover crop
- Planting window: Spring or early fall
- Frost: Very frost tolerant and perennial in many climates
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to part sunEasyUSDA Zones 3-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 5
Berseem Clover
Trifolium alexandrinum
Rapid nitrogen and tender biomass in cool weather.
- Type: fast-growing annual legume cover crop
- Planting window: Fall in mild zones or spring where winters are cold
- Frost: Light frost tolerant but damaged by hard freezes
- Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 7-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 6
Subterranean Clover
Trifolium subterraneum
Orchard floor cover and self-reseeding living mulch.
- Type: self-reseeding annual legume cover crop
- Planting window: Fall in mild winter regions
- Frost: Tolerates cool weather; strongest in Mediterranean climates
- Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to part sunModerateUSDA Zones 7-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 7
Sweet Clover
Melilotus officinalis
Deep rooting, subsoil opening, pollinator value.
- Type: deep-rooted biennial legume cover crop
- Planting window: Spring or late summer
- Frost: Very hardy and overwintering
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunModerateUSDA Zones 3-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 8
Austrian Winter Pea
Pisum sativum subsp. arvense
Nitrogen and tender cool-season biomass.
- Type: cool-season legume cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer to fall in mild zones; early spring in cold zones
- Frost: Frost tolerant; may winterkill in very cold exposed sites
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 5-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 9
Field Pea
Pisum sativum
Nitrogen and tender biomass for cool beds.
- Type: cool-season legume cover crop
- Planting window: Early spring or late summer to fall
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 3-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 10
Hairy Vetch
Vicia villosa
Heavy spring nitrogen and weed suppression.
- Type: overwintering legume cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer to fall
- Frost: Very frost tolerant and reliable overwinterer
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunModerateUSDA Zones 4-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 11
Common Vetch
Vicia sativa
Nitrogen with flexible sowing windows.
- Type: annual legume cover crop
- Planting window: Spring or fall depending on climate
- Frost: Light to moderate frost tolerance
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 5-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 12
Bell Bean
Vicia faba
Cool-season nitrogen and robust biomass.
- Type: cool-season legume cover crop
- Planting window: Fall through winter in mild zones; early spring elsewhere
- Frost: Tolerates cool weather and light frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunModerateUSDA Zones 7-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 13
Sunn Hemp
Crotalaria juncea
Huge summer biomass and nitrogen in heat.
- Type: warm-season legume cover crop
- Planting window: Late spring through summer when soils are warm
- Frost: Very frost tender; killed by frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 8-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 8-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 14
Cowpea
Vigna unguiculata
Heat-loving nitrogen fixer and weed suppressor.
- Type: warm-season legume cover crop
- Planting window: Late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost tender
- Zones: USDA Zones 7-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 7-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 15
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
Long-term soil building and deep nutrient mining.
- Type: deep-rooted perennial legume cover crop
- Planting window: Spring or late summer
- Frost: Very hardy once established
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunModerateUSDA Zones 3-9Multi Season
Cover Crop 16
Lupin
Lupinus albus
Nitrogen and deep rooting in lighter soils.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Spring or fall in mild climates
- Frost: Moderately frost tolerant
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunModerateUSDA Zones 5-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 17
Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Small-space nitrogen and edible greens.
- Type: quick annual legume cover crop
- Planting window: Spring or fall
- Frost: Light frost tolerant but not for hard freeze exposure
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 5-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 18
Cereal Rye
Secale cereale
Winter soil cover and heavy mulch production.
- Type: cold-hardy cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer through fall
- Frost: Very frost tolerant and one of the best overwintering cereals
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 3-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 19
Annual Ryegrass
Lolium multiflorum
Root mass and erosion control.
- Type: fibrous-root grass cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer to fall or early spring
- Frost: Good frost tolerance
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 20
Oats
Avena sativa
Fast fall cover that winterkills in colder areas.
- Type: quick cool-season cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer to fall; spring in cold climates
- Frost: Tolerates light frost; winterkills in cold winter zones
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 3-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 21
Barley
Hordeum vulgare
Quick ground cover and nutrient capture.
- Type: quick cool-season cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Spring or late summer to fall
- Frost: Less hardy than rye but tolerates cool weather
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 22
Wheat
Triticum aestivum
Winter cover and moderate residue.
- Type: cool-season cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer to fall
- Frost: Good frost tolerance
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 3-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 23
Triticale
× Triticosecale
Large biomass with easier management than rye.
- Type: cool-season cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer to fall
- Frost: Good frost tolerance
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 3-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 24
Sorghum-Sudangrass
Sorghum bicolor × S. bicolor var. sudanense
Huge summer biomass and weed smothering.
- Type: warm-season grass cover crop
- Planting window: Late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Very frost tender; killed by frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 6-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunModerateUSDA Zones 6-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 25
Pearl Millet
Pennisetum glaucum
Heat-tolerant summer biomass.
- Type: warm-season grass cover crop
- Planting window: Late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost tender
- Zones: USDA Zones 7-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 7-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 26
Japanese Millet
Echinochloa esculenta
Quick summer biomass in wetter sites.
- Type: warm-season grass cover crop
- Planting window: Late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost tender
- Zones: USDA Zones 6-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 6-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 27
Teff
Eragrostis tef
Quick fine-rooted summer soil cover.
- Type: fine-rooted warm-season grass cover crop
- Planting window: Late spring to midsummer
- Frost: Frost tender
- Zones: USDA Zones 7-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunModerateUSDA Zones 7-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 28
Mustard
Sinapis alba
Fast fall or spring cover with biofumigant residue.
- Type: biofumigant brassica cover crop
- Planting window: Early spring or late summer to fall
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 29
Daikon Radish
Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus
Compaction relief and nutrient scavenging.
- Type: tillage radish cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer to early fall
- Frost: Tolerates light frost and often winterkills in cold zones
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 4-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 30
Turnip
Brassica rapa
Quick biomass and grazing/forage potential.
- Type: cool-season brassica cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer to early fall; spring in colder climates
- Frost: Good frost tolerance
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 4-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 31
Forage Kale
Brassica oleracea
Long-season leafy biomass and forage.
- Type: cool-season brassica cover crop
- Planting window: Late spring for summer/fall growth or late summer in mild climates
- Frost: Very frost tolerant
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunModerateUSDA Zones 5-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 32
Forage Rape
Brassica napus
Fast fall forage and nutrient scavenging.
- Type: cool-season brassica cover crop
- Planting window: Late summer to early fall
- Frost: Good frost tolerance
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 5-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 33
Phacelia
Phacelia tanacetifolia
Pollinators, quick cover, and soil conditioning.
- Type: pollinator-friendly broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Spring or late summer to fall
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to part sunEasyUSDA Zones 4-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 34
Chicory
Cichorium intybus
Deep rooting, mineral scavenging, and forage diversity.
- Type: deep-rooted broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Spring or late summer
- Frost: Good frost tolerance
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunModerateUSDA Zones 4-9Multi Season
Cover Crop 35
Flax
Linum usitatissimum
Light biomass, pollinator flowers, and gentle residue.
- Type: fine-stemmed broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Spring or late summer in mild areas
- Frost: Tolerates cool weather
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 3-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 36
Camelina
Camelina sativa
Low-input cool-season soil cover and pollinator bloom.
- Type: cool-season brassica-like cover crop
- Planting window: Early spring or late summer to fall
- Frost: Good frost tolerance for a small-seeded annual
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sunEasyUSDA Zones 3-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 37
Black Oat
Avena strigosa
Aggressive root growth, weed suppression, and easy winter cover.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 38
Sudangrass
Sorghum sudanense
Tall summer biomass and quick weed shading.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 7-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 7-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 39
Foxtail Millet
Setaria italica
Fast summer cover and bird-safe fine residue.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 6-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 6-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 40
Proso Millet
Panicum miliaceum
Quick dryland summer cover for light soils.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 5-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 41
Browntop Millet
Urochloa ramosa
Short warm-season cover for pollinators and soil cover.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 7-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 42
Canola
Brassica napus
Cool-season nutrient scavenging with quick spring bloom.
- Type: brassica cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 4-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 43
Brown Mustard
Brassica juncea
Quick leafy biofumigant cover and tender chop-and-drop biomass.
- Type: brassica cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 4-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 44
Arugula
Eruca vesicaria
Small-space peppery brassica cover and pollinator support.
- Type: brassica cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 5-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 45
Oilseed Radish
Raphanus sativus var. oleiformis
Deep rooting and nutrient scavenging with quick fall growth.
- Type: brassica cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 4-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 46
Forage Collards
Brassica oleracea var. viridis
Long-season leafy biomass and winter green cover.
- Type: brassica cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 6-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 6-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 47
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Tall summer biomass with pollinator support and deep rooting.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 48
French Marigold
Tagetes patula
Beneficial insect support and small-space bioactive cover.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 5-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 49
Sesame
Sesamum indicum
Heat-loving summer cover for droughty beds.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 7-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 7-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 50
Safflower
Carthamus tinctorius
Deep-rooted drought-tolerant cover for hot dry seasons.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 5-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 51
Niger
Guizotia abyssinica
Fast summer cover with pollinator-friendly bloom.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 6-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 6-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 52
Borage
Borago officinalis
Pollinator cover, chop-and-drop mulch, and soil biology support.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 5-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 53
Dill
Anethum graveolens
Beneficial insect support and fine-stem green manure.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 54
Cilantro
Coriandrum sativum
Quick cool-season living mulch and beneficial insect nectar.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
Plant Facts
Indoor/OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 55
Mung Bean
Vigna radiata
Warm-season nitrogen fixer for short hot windows.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 7-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 7-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 56
Soybean
Glycine max
Summer nitrogen building and moderate biomass.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 5-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 57
Chickpea
Cicer arietinum
Cool dry-season legume for nitrogen and edible side harvests.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Cool-season legume with light to moderate frost tolerance; many forms overwinter in mild to moderate winter regions
- Zones: USDA Zones 6-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 6-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 58
Lentil
Lens culinaris
Fine-textured nitrogen cover for cooler shoulder seasons.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Cool-season legume with light to moderate frost tolerance; many forms overwinter in mild to moderate winter regions
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 4-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 59
Black Medic
Medicago lupulina
Low-growing nitrogen fixer and living mulch option.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Cool-season legume with light to moderate frost tolerance; many forms overwinter in mild to moderate winter regions
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 4-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 61
Lablab
Lablab purpureus
Heat-loving vining nitrogen cover and trellis biomass.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 8-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 8-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 62
Velvet Bean
Mucuna pruriens
Heavy tropical biomass and strong nitrogen contribution.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 9-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 63
Sesbania
Sesbania exaltata
Fast warm-season nitrogen and biomass for wet or hot sites.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 8-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 8-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 64
Jack Bean
Canavalia ensiformis
Tropical nitrogen fixer and heavy leafy summer cover.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 9-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 65
Tepary Bean
Phaseolus acutifolius
Drought-tolerant warm-season nitrogen fixer.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 8-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 8-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 66
Orchardgrass
Dactylis glomerata
Perennial cover and forage option with strong root mass.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-8Cool Season
Cover Crop 67
Timothy
Phleum pratense
Cool-season sod-forming cover for forage and soil protection.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 3-8Cool Season
Cover Crop 68
Meadow Fescue
Festuca pratensis
Cool-season fibrous-root soil cover for moisture-holding ground.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-8Cool Season
Cover Crop 69
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Durable living cover with erosion control value.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-9Cool Season
Cover Crop 70
Festulolium
× Festulolium
Hybrid grass cover combining vigor and digestibility.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-8Cool Season
Cover Crop 71
Winter Field Bean
Vicia faba var. minor
Large-seeded winter legume for nitrogen and sturdy spring biomass.
- Type: nitrogen-fixing legume cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Cool-season legume with light to moderate frost tolerance; many forms overwinter in mild to moderate winter regions
- Zones: USDA Zones 6-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightModerateUSDA Zones 6-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 72
Pollinator Cover Mix
Mixed species planting
Mixed flowering cover for pollinators and beneficial insects.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-10Warm Season
Cover Crop 73
Winter Soil Builder Mix
Mixed species planting
Balanced winter mix combining mulch, nitrogen, and nutrient capture.
- Type: grass or cereal cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Good frost tolerance and suitable for cool-season growth or winter cover in many regions
- Zones: USDA Zones 4-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 4-10Cool Season
Cover Crop 74
Summer Smother Mix
Mixed species planting
Heat-loving blend for fast shade, biomass, and weed suppression.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow after frost when soil is warm, usually late spring through midsummer
- Frost: Frost-tender; usually winterkills at or soon after the first hard frost
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-11
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 5-11Warm Season
Cover Crop 75
Orchard Floor Mix
Mixed species planting
Mixed low-growing cover for orchards, food forests, and perennial rows.
- Type: broadleaf cover crop
- Planting window: Sow in early spring or from late summer into fall depending on your region
- Frost: Handles cool weather and light to moderate frost; performance depends on local winter severity
- Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
Plant Facts
OutdoorFull sun to bright lightEasyUSDA Zones 5-10Cool Season
