The 7 Best Cover Crops For Your Garden

Outside Pride Buckwheat Cover Crop Seed

First, our list of the best cover crops for gardens is Buckwheat. This cover crop is very convenient for those of you who don’t want weeds in your gardens.

Buckwheat or the “smother crop” is a non-legume plant that is very sensitive cold, making it perfect during the summer season. It has a seeding rate of 1.75 lbs. per 1000 sq.ft. Among its benefits are attracting pollinators, suppressing weeds, scavenging phosphorus, and it works miracles in poor soil.

Product Highlights

Buckwheat can be used for any soil type, and its seeds remain on the stalk for ripening. It is low maintenance and requires no fertilizers or pesticides.

The Good

It is a healthy and vigorous cover crop that will help control weeds, fix nitrogen, and add humus. Also, it is Non-GMO and is certified organic.

The Bad

The packaging is not reliable to carry a pound of seeds. And the germination rate varies depending on the health of the soil.

Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed Sun and Shade Mix

Bluegrass is one of the best cover crops for gardens because it does not only prevent weeds, but it also does not compete against your plants for nutrients.

Also, it contributes to organic matter that prevents soil erosion, and it also adds to carbon disposition.

Product Highlights

This product is designed for both sun and shade conditions, and it has a fine-bladed texture with high resistance to drought. It also absorbs more water compared to uncoated seeds and is protected from any disease.

The Good

The seed mix stays green even in worst conditions, and it also aggressively spreads to make sure that the thin spots are filled in.

The Bad

The type of grass is not said on the packaging or anywhere on the product.

Jonathan Green Winter Rye Grass Seed

Here is another best cover crop for gardens. Winter rye can quickly germinate, and it is also useful in preventing weeds in the soil that it thrives upon.

Winter Rye, or grain rye, is also useful when it comes to loosening compact soil, and it catches nitrogen in the ground, which also much helps your garden.

Product Highlights

The product comes in a 5 pounds bag and is 100% superior grass seed. It can be used in gardens, pastures, and hayfields.

The Good

The seeds grow rapidly, and it spreads quickly. It is effortless to grow. 

The Bad

Some people may get confused between winter rye seed, which is this product, and winter over-seeding because it does not say anything on the label.

Red Clover Legume Seed by Eretz

The Crimson Clover is a legume that provides enough nitrogen and biomass that will significantly help your soil.

Crimson clover thrives best during the winter season; its seeding rate is 0.3 pounds per 1000 sq. Feet, it attracts beneficial weeds and also fends off weeds. So, it is an all-in-one cover crop for your garden. You can get all those benefits by just cultivating this cover crop in your garden.

Product Highlights

An excellent magnet for pollinators, the Red Clover Legume Seed is one of the best cover crops for gardens. It also is great at nitrogen affixing.

The Good

The Red Clover Legume Seed by Eretz comes in different sizes. It can be purchased from 1-50 pounds and is a multi-purpose product since it not only makes a good cover crop, but it also is suitable for cattle and other domestic animals to forage on.

The Bad

It does not provide consistency when growing. Some areas might have sprouted, but, depending on the soil quality, some areas might be bare.

Wheat Grass Seed by Magic Grow

The next best cover crop for gardens is wheatgrass. Wheat Grass scavenges nitrogen, provides biomass, and suppresses weeds.

Product Highlights

This product is a zip bag of 1 pound Hard Red Winter wheatgrass seeds. It has a 95% tested germination rate and is Non-GMO. 

The Good

It is a multi-purpose product. You can use it as a cover crop, and, at the same time, for your pets to play on since it is very healthy and grows rapidly.

The Bad

The Wheat Grass Seed by Magic Grow will not work well with beginners since it does not have any instructions, and the resealable zip bag is not sturdy enough to hold the seeds.

X-Seed 440AS0135UCT-5 Micro lawn Grass and Micro-Clover Mixture

Micro-clovers can retain moisture very well, prevent weeds from infesting the soil, fixes nitrogen, improves soil tilth, and attract pollinators.

Product Highlights

This product works for both sun and light shade and is excellent for lakeshore gardens or areas. Also, it does not need any fertilizers.

The mixture includes 45% Winter Rye, 20% Annual Rye Grass, 20% Austrian Winter Pea, 10% Hairy Vetch, and 10% Crimson Clover Seed.

This means that you can have a little bit of everything in your garden, and this is great for landscape sectioning.

The Good

Prevents nitrogen runoff, crowds out weeds, which means that it does not need chemicals, instantly making it very environment friendly.

The Bad

It does not work well with the rainy or cold seasons. The micro-clovers will grow under light shade and sun but not during heavy rains and the winter season.

Eretz Cover Crop Seeds

All the cover crops that we have introduced and discussed above are amazing, and if you want something that will give you a bit of everything and more, then, here check out the Cover Crop Seeds from Eretz.

Product Highlights

The Eretz Cover Crop Seeds is known for its premium blend – for about 25% each of Crimson Clover, Hairy Vetch, White Oats and Peas. These seeds are highly recommended for compost, green manure, squelching growth, mulch, soil improvement, and even control of erosion.

It improves the soil where you’re planting because of the nitrogen fixation and the added biomass and those organic material. The oats also provide strength and structure for the legumes. This product is authentic, and it’s tested and proven by many.

The Good

The Eretz Cover Crop Seeds are excellent when it comes to nitrogen fixation and is the ideal cover crop for spring.

The Bad

Some seeds won’t germinate if the temperature is too cold or too hot.