Soil conditions across most of Indiana at the end of the cover crop seeding window were extremely dry. If you’ve planted cover crops in the past, you might have been hesitant to plant in the fall of 2024, thinking it was too dry for the seed to germinate.

Cover crops are generally thought of as being planted in the fall after harvest or into standing cash crops. Planting covers after wheat harvest is also a popular option rather than double-crop soybeans. But have you ever considered spring-planted cover crops? The late Mike Plummer, an agronomist and cover crop specialist, once stated that he had planted cover crops in almost every month of the year. What can be gained by planting covers in the spring?

Spring planting benefits

Obviously, you will not get erosion control over winter or the benefits of roots growing all winter with a spring-planted cover, but there are benefits to be gained from planting in the spring. Summer weed control or late spring forage for livestock are examples.

Not every species is suitable to plant in the spring. Spring oats are a great option, either by themselves or with radish. Annual ryegrass is also a good option, either alone or with radish. However, note that annual ryegrass requires special considerations at termination.

Related:Scouting can help evaluate cover crop investment

If you want to plant a legume, winter peas can be planted in the spring. To get the maximum amount of nitrogen, allow them to grow to maturity before termination. Cereal rye can be planted in the spring. However, it will not obtain the growth or biomass that it does when planted in the fall. It will not go through vernalization and will want to mature quickly. Spring varieties of triticale provide excellent late spring forage. Ensure with your seed provider that you are getting a spring variety and not a winter variety.

Decide how to seed

Some species can be frost-seeded in late winter, possibly using a UTV with a broadcast spreader. Drones provide another option for dormant seeding of cover crops when soil conditions do not allow for vehicles. Those mornings where the soil is frozen until after lunch are the most opportune times to do frost seeding.

If you wait for spring, plant as early as possible, when ground conditions allow. Obtain as much seed-to-soil contact as possible to ensure quick germination. The longer you can wait prior to termination, the more benefits you will get.

The adage that any cover crop is better than no cover crop rings true with spring-planted covers. If you did not get some or all your cover crops planted in the fall, consider planting some this spring.

Related:Consider adding cover crops for grazing