Cover crops can help cultivate your soil for it to be healthier for your garden crops. This is the main reason why you need to have the best cover crop for gardens. There are several cover crop seeds available in the market, but today, we will be introducing seven of the best cover crops for gardens to help you figure out which one will work out for you.
Comparison Chart
IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
Outside Pride Buckwheat Cover Crop Seed | 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. | ||
Scotts Turf Builder Quick Fix 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. | ||
Jonathan Green Winter Rye Grass Seed | 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. | ||
Red Clover Legume Seed by Eretz | Crimson clover thrives best during the winter season; its seeding rate is 1-3 lbs 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. | ||
Wheat Grass Seed by Magic Grow | The next best cover crop for gardens is wheatgrass. Wheat Grass scavenges nitrogen, provides biomass, and suppresses weeds. | ||
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. | ||
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. |
A Detailed Review of the 7 Best Cover Crops for 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.
PROs
- It is non-GMO
- Certified Organic
CONs
- Germination rate varies depending on the soil
- Does not do well in cold environments
- The packaging is not sturdy enough to hold the seeds
Scotts Turf Builder Quick Fix 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.
PROs
- Easy to grow
- 100% superior winter ryegrass seed
- 5 pounds bag
CONs
- The packaging is not enticing
- Might be mistaken as an over-seeding type of rye
Red Clover Legume Seed by Eretz
The Red Clover is a legume that provides enough nitrogen and biomass that will significantly help your soil.
Red clover thrives best during the winter season; its seeding rate is 1-3 lbs 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.
PROs
- Thrives during the winter season
- Attracts pollinators
- Comes in different sizes
CONs
- Is not able to tolerate too much sun
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.
PROs
- Easy to grow
- Cats love it
- Great price
- Germination is rapid
CONs
- Doesn’t have instructions
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.
PROs
- Does not need fertilizer
- Crowds out weeds
- Stays green all year
- Fixes nitrogen
CONs
- Can only handle minimal rain and does not like the cold so much
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.
PROs
- Germinates quickly
- Very easy to grow
CONs
- Does not come with instructions
- Does not germinate consistently throughout the year
Conclusion
Cover cropping is done to make sure that the garden soil or the farm soil stays healthy and that the crops will have enough nitrogen and nutrients because cover crops fend off weeds. Some cover crops can even attract pollinators, which will also help your garden.
In this article, we have introduced some of the best cover crops for gardens which include:
- Wheatgrass
- Red Clover
- Micro-Clover
- Bluegrass
- Buckwheat
- Winter Rye
- Annual Rye Grass
- Hairy Vetch
- Austrian Winter Pea
You need to provide a cover crop for your garden so that in the coming seasons, you will be reassured that your plants and the garden soil are healthy and that you won’t have to worry about weeds or zinc deficiency for your crops. Learn more about gardening.