Orchard Alleyway’s Cover Crop Update – Seeding 2025
Orchard Alleyway’s Cover Crop Update – Seeding 2025
Thought it might be best to show a few photos of some of the varieties that are seeding in Mid July. Its been a pretty bad year for sowing the original seed, due to an extended drought and high temperatures that we have been experiencing.
Hoary Plantain (Plantago media) – Not too sure on the effectiveness of root penetration of this species. We attempted to purchase Ribgrass or Ribwort plantain (Plantago Lanceolata), but unfortunately, none were available. Plantago Lanceolata has very deep roots, and we are not sure about Plantago media
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) – This is a short-season crop that grows well in low-fertility soils. It has a branching root system with a primary taproot that reaches deeply into moist soil. The flowers are usually white, although they can also be pink-tinted. The stems are noticeably red, and it can grow to 60cms tall. It is in the same family as knotweed and rhubarb. But this is an annual plant, not perennial.
Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) – Wild radish is an annual that grows up to 75 cm tall, variously branched to multi-stemmed, with a distinct slender taproot which does not swell like that of the cultivated radish. Each fruit consists of a pod with two segments: the lower one is about 1-2 mm long and sterile (just occasionally with one seed), while the upper one is up to 8 cm long and has 1-10 fertile segments (mericarps), each containing one oval seed up to 3 mm long. Being a member of the Brassica family, it is prone to the flea beetle, so spraying is essential. Some say sow after July, and it should avoid it.
Black Oats (Avena strigosa) – Rapid growth and high biomass (very leafy) make it ideal as a cover crop. It can self-seed as it is an annual. Fibrous roots relieve soil compaction. Aparently it can survive a mild frost.
Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum) – Triticum aestivum, commonly known as bread wheat, is the most widely cultivated wheat species globally, accounting for over 90% of total wheat production. It is an effective cover crop, especially in temperate regions like the UK. While it’s not as aggressive as cereal rye, it offers a balanced mix of soil protection, weed suppression, and biomass production.
Phacelia tanacetifolia – This is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, and an annual that grows erect to a maximum height near 100 cm. It is attractive to hoverflies (family Syrphidae), which are useful as biological pest control agents because they eat aphids and other pests. It is good at attracting pollinators such as bumblebees and honey bees.
Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) – It is a legume, grown as a forage crop, fodder crop, cover crop, and green manure. It is used as a cover crop as it fixes nitrogen.
