Spring plantings are commonly utilized to jump-start soil biology after a long cold winter. These cover mixes are used to “prime” the soil biology ahead of a later spring planted crop. Spring mixes are also used in the western Great Plains as a “fallow replacement”, where a living cover provides extra residue and biological diversity for the soil. Moisture used by the cover crop is usually gained back later in the summer through increased infiltration and decreased evaporation. Seeding will typically occur once soil temperatures reach and maintain 40°F and field conditions are dry enough to allow traffic. Greater diversity can be added to these mixtures if planting date is delayed until closer to the frost-free date.
The following mixes are “base” mixtures for different spring planting situations and can be modified to best meet your needs. Call or email us and we can help you design the best mix for you.
Spring Soil Builder/Fallow Replacement
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Spring Grazer
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- Legumes: Spring Forage Peas, Common Vetch Indianhead Spring Lentils, Crimson Clover
- Grasses: Spring Oats, Spring Forage Barley
- Brassicas: Rapeseed, Mustards
- Other Broadleaves: Flax, Safflower, Sunflower
- Estimated cost per acre: $18.00-25.00
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- Legumes: Spring Forage Peas, Common Vetch, Indianhead Spring Lentils
- Grasses: Spring Triticale, Spring Forage Barley, Spring Oats
- Brassicas: Impact Forage Collards, Viva Hybrid Turnips, Purple Top Turnips, Graza Radish, Broadleaf Mustard
- Other Broadleaves: Baldy Spineless Safflower
- Estimated cost per acre: $25.00-35.00
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Spring Nitrogen Fixation
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Spring Pollinator Mix
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- Legumes: Spring Forage Peas, AC Greenfix Chickling Vetch, Indianhead Spring Lentils, Desi Chick Peas, Common Vetch, Crimson Clover
- Grasses: Spring Oats
- Brassicas: Forage Rapeseed
- Other Broadleaves: Flax, Safflower, Sunflower
- Estimated cost per acre: $27.00-42.00
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- Legumes: Spring Forage Peas, AC Greenfix Chickling Vetch, Desi Chick Peas, Woolypod Vetch, Crimson Clover, Hubam Clover, Persian Clover
- Grasses: Spring Oats
- Brassicas: Nitro Radish, Yellow Mustard, Brown Mustard, Broadleaf Mustard
- Other Broadleaves: Flax, Safflower, Sunflower
- Estimated cost per acre: $30.00-40.00
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