Winter Rye (Common) Organic Cover Crop Seed

Scientific name

Secale cereale

What it does

The hardiest winter cover. It holds soil, adds organic matter and suppresses weeds both by crowding and by natural compounds in its residue. It can also be grown on for edible grain.

Sowing

Drill or push-seed 3/4–1 1/2" deep, or broadcast a little heavier and harrow lightly or firm in with a cultipacker.

When to sow

As green manure it can go in any time from spring until mid-fall. Fall windows by zone: 3 — mid-August into mid-September; 4 — mid-August until the end of September; 5 — mid-August into mid-October; 6 — the last week of August until the end of October; 7 — early September into mid-November. For a grain or straw crop, plant in late summer or autumn and cut the following midsummer.

Seeding rate

60–150 lb. per acre (2–3 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft.), rising to as much as 200 lb. for late-fall sowing. Use less in mixes: about 60 lb. per acre with clover, or 70 lb. rye plus 30 lb. hairy vetch.

Light and soil

Full sun. Adapts to most soils, does better on light ground than heavy clay and prefers dry to soggy. Best between pH 5 and 7.

Height

3–6'.

Harvest

For grain, let the seed ripen fully. Cut and tie in bundles once the heads are dry and hard (the hard-dough stage), then thresh, winnow and store.

Termination

Till any time before heads emerge; older rye may need several passes. After heading it gets harder to till; mowing or crimping once pollen is shed works well for a surface mulch.

Seeds per lb.

About 17,200 on average.