Which cover crop grows fastest for quick ground coverage?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.For quick ground cover, buckwheat takes the gold medal and takes 35 days to cover and protect the soil surface. Oats come in second place with sprouting in 14 days when conditions are ideal. These speed demons will cover bare soil in no time. I often plant them in between crop rotations to protect soil from erosion and compete against weeds during economically vulnerable periods.
Buckwheat
- Forms dense canopy in 30-35 days for immediate erosion control
- Flowers attract beneficial insects that control pests naturally
- Thrives in poor soils where other covers struggle
Oats
- Germinates in 7-10 days with visible growth in 14 days
- Produces extensive root mass improving soil structure quickly
- Winter-kills at 20°F (-7°C) creating natural mulch
Annual Ryegrass
- Establishes ground cover within 21 days of planting
- Deep roots prevent compaction while building organic matter
- Tolerates heavy foot traffic making it versatile
Sow these fast-growing crops in narrow intervals between main crops. Luckily, you can broadcast buckwheat when soil temperatures reach 60°F (16°C) after spring crops. You can also no-till oats in late summer before the first frost of fall. I sow cover crops after vegetables every year using annual ryegrass for winter protection.
Fast cover crops provide multiple benefits in addition to rapid ground coverage. Buckwheat, with its deep roots, helps protect against erosion and produces flowers that attract various pollinator species. Oats effectively keep weeds out with rapid canopy cover. Annual ryegrass, with deep root mass, improves soil structure. I've seen over 25% reduction in weed pressures for fields that use these species.
Terminate rapidly growing plants before they reach seed maturity to avoid self-sowing. To terminate buckwheat, mow when buckwheat is exhibiting early flowering, about 6 weeks after planting. To terminate oats, till before the stem hardens. To terminate annual ryegrass, apply glyphosate before the plant resumes growth during spring. I time-terminate plants with precision to minimize the growth of unwanted volunteer plants.
Read the full article: 10 Best Cover Crops for Soil Health and Yield
