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Cover Crop Species

The EnviroSeeds® range proudly supplies the largest range of cover crop species and varieties in the UK, harnessing our relationships with UK producers and European breeders alike. Varieties are carefully selected based on independent trials for maximum benefit to your soil’s health and fertility. More species and varieties available on request.

Berseem Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum)
  • Short-term annual, nitrogen-fixing clover
  • Germinates and grows rapidly
  • Susceptible to frost and easy to incorporate
  • Provides dense coverage to suppress weed growth
  • ‘Multi-cut’ and ‘single-cut’ varieties available including ‘TABOR’...
Sowing Rate
15kg/ha
Sowing Depth
1cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
N
Black Oats (Avena strigosa)
  • Susceptible to frost
  • Fibrous roots relieve soil compaction
  • Rapid growing
  • Produces high biomass
  • Controls root lesion nematode ...
Sowing Rate
50kg/ha
Sowing Depth
1-2cm
Sowing Period
Late Aug-Oct
Overwinter Use
N
Brown Mustard (Brassica juncea)
  • Rapid growing weed suppressant
  • Frost-tolerant
  • Deep and lateral root growth
  • Relieves soil compaction
  • Powerful biofumigant...
Sowing Rate
5kg/ha
Sowing Depth
0.5-1cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
N
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum / esculentum)
  • Very quick growing annual
  • Extremely susceptible to frost
  • Produces a large, dense canopy for excellent weed suppression
  • Scavenges phosphates
  • Fagopyrum tataricum variety ‘LIFAGO’ available...
Sowing Rate
50kg/ha
Sowing Depth
2-3cm
Sowing Period
May-Aug
Overwinter Use
N
Common Vetch (Vicia sativa)
  • Upright and prostrate growth to suppress weeds
  • Excellent companion to rye or black oats
  • Fixes nitrogen
  • Performs best on dry, alkaline soils
  • Spring & Winter varieties available, including ‘NACRE’...
Sowing Rate
50kg/ha
Sowing Depth
1-2cm
Sowing Period
Mar-Oct
Overwinter Use
Y
Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum)
  • Nitrogen-fixing annual
  • Rapid growth suppresses weeds
  • Frost-tolerant when autumn-sown
  • Deep red flowers attract pollinators and insects
  • Easy to incorporate and degrades quickly...
Sowing Rate
15kg/ha
Sowing Depth
1cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
Y
Linseed (Linum usitatissimum)
  • Quick germination
  • Good companion to legumes
  • Fibrous root structure
  • Easy to incorporate
  • Short-stemmed to control black-grass and broad-leaved weeds...
Sowing Rate
50kg/ha
Sowing Depth
2-3cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
N
Lucerne (Medicago sativa)
  • Excellent nitrogen fixer over 2-4 years
  • Suits lighter, chalky soils
  • Source of pollen and nectar for pollinators
  • Deep tap roots - tolerates dry conditions
  • Highly digestible source of protein and minerals ...
Sowing Rate
20kg/ha
Sowing Depth
1-2cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
Y
Oil Radish (Raphanus sativus)
  • Produces high biomass
  • Deep, bulbous tap roots relieve soil compaction
  • Scavenges nitrogen for future crops
  • Suitable for short-term summer/autumn use
  • Tillage radish variety ‘DAIKON’, and nematode-controlling varieties available...
Sowing Rate
10-25kg/ha
Sowing Depth
1-2cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
Y
Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)
  • Rapid growing annual
  • Suppresses weeds
  • Prevents nitrogen leaching
  • Produces a dense, shallow and fibrous root mass
  • Excellent source of pollen and nectar for pollinators...
Sowing Rate
10kg/ha
Sowing Depth
0.5-1cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
N
Purple Vetch (Vicia atropurpurea)
  • Extremely susceptible to frost
  • More vigorous than common vetch varieties
  • Perfect for short-term, summer cover
  • Easy to incorporate and breaks down quickly
  • Excellent nitrogen-fixer...
Sowing Rate
30kg/ha
Sowing Depth
1-2cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
N
Red Clover (Secale cereale)
  • Medium-term legume - up to 3 years
  • Quick regrowth after cutting
  • Ideal for enriching grassland and margins
  • Deep taproot conditions soil
  • Source of pollen and nectar for pollinators...
Sowing Rate
15kg/ha
Sowing Depth
0.5-1cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
Y
Rye (Secale cereale)
  • Quick growing and suitable for late-autumn drilling
  • Provides early spring growth
  • Strong weed suppression
  • Prevents soil erosion and scavenges nitrogen
  • High-quality forage varieties available including ‘POWERGREEN’ and ‘TURBOGREEN’...
Sowing Rate
Aug-Oct
Sowing Depth
1-2cm
Sowing Period
Aug-Oct
Overwinter Use
Y
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
  • Produces large, attractive flowers
  • Excellent source of nectar for pollinators
  • Provides seeds for farmland birds over winter
  • Strong roots break up compacted soils
  • Dwarf and standard varieties available...
Sowing Rate
12.5kg/ha
Sowing Depth
1-2cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Jun
Overwinter Use
N
Westerwolds (Lolium westerwoldicum)
  • Rapid establishing, annual form of ryegrass
  • Reduces nitrogen leaching
  • Suppresses weeds
  • Produces large volumes of organic matter
  • Suitable for cutting and grazing...
Sowing Rate
35kg/ha
Sowing Depth
0.5-1cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
Y
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
  • Long-term legume - up to 5 years
  • Ideal for adding diversity to existing grassland
  • Produces biomass over an extended period
  • Source of pollen and nectar for pollinators
  • Mini, small, medium and large-leaved varieties available...
Sowing Rate
10kg/ha
Sowing Depth
0.5-1cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
Y
White Mustard (Sinapis alba)
  • Deep roots prevent soil erosion
  • Vigorous and quick-growing
  • Excellent weed suppressor and soil conditioner
  • Can be used as a standalone crop or within a mixture
  • Suitable for short-term, summer cover crops...
Sowing Rate
15kg
Sowing Depth
0.5-1cm
Sowing Period
Apr-Sept
Overwinter Use
N