Grasses

Annual ryegrass

https://covercropimages.sare.org/p602248239/h7a019239#h7a019239

Scientific Name: Lolium multiflorum
Life Cycle: Winter Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Min. Germination Temp.: 40F

Upright winter annual or weak perennial bunchgrass that grows 12-24 inches tall. Glossy leaves. Do not confuse with cereal rye.

Additional Resources

For more region specific information, each cover crop species can be found in the cover crop decision tool by name.

Annual ryegrass: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)

See all Annual Ryegrass articles

Barley

https://covercropimages.sare.org/p477265252/h119ab730#h119ab730

Scientific Name: Hordeum vulgare
Life Cycle: Winter Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Min. Germination Temp.: 38F

Upright winter annual that grows 1 1/2 – 3 feet tall. Has hollow jointed stems with narrow, tapered leaves. Leaves are broader than those of most other grasses. Flower spikes appear bearded because of their long awns. Winter barley requires vernalization to produce grain; spring types do not.

Additional Resources

For more region specific information, each cover crop species can be found in the cover crop decision tool by name.

Barley: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)

See all Brown/Indian mustard articles

Cereal rye

https://covercropimages.sare.org/p477265252/h119ab730#h119ab730

Scientific Name: Secale cereale
Life Cycle: Cool Season Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 5.0-7.0
Min. Germination Temp.: 34F

Upright cool-season annual that grows 3-6 feet tall. Requires vernalization to head and produce seed. Makes a thick ground cover if planted in the spring. Do not confuse with annual ryegrass.

Additional Resources

For more region specific information, each cover crop species can be found in the cover crop decision tool by name.

Cereal rye: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)

See all CEREAL RYE ARTICLES

Millets

Japanese Millet

https://blogs.cornell.edu/worldcrops/crops/crops-alphabetical/japanese-millet/

Scientific Name: Echinochloa spp.
Life Cycle: Summer Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 5.5-7.5
Min. Germination Temp.: 65F

Upright summer annual that grows 2-4 feet tall. Has thick stems and a more course appearance than other millets.

Pearl Millet

Scientific Name: Pennisetum glaucum
Life Cycle: Summer Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 5.5-7.5 Min.
Germination Temp.: 65F

Upright summer annual bunchgrass that grows 2-4 feet tall. Has broad, flat pointed leaves with serrated edges and cattail-like inflorescences.

Additional Resources

For more region specific information, each cover crop species can be found in the cover crop decision tool by name.

See all MILLET articles

Oats

Scientific Name: Avena sativa
Life Cycle: Cool Season Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Min. Germination Temp.: 38F

Upright cool season annual that grows 2-5 feet tall. Has fibrous roots; hollow, straight stems; and narrow tapered leaves. Winter oat types are the least winter hardy of all the small grains, are not widely available, and require vernalization to head and produce seeds.

Additional Resources

For more region specific information, each cover crop species can be found in the cover crop decision tool by name.

Oats: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)

See all OATS articles

Sorghum-sudangrass

Scientific Name: Sorghum bicolor x Sorghum bicolor var. Sudane
Life Cycle: Summer Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Min. Germination Temp.: 65 F

Upright summer annual that grows up to 8-12 feet tall. Leaves resemble corn.

Additional Resources

Sorghum-sudangrass: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)

See all Sorghum-sudangrass articles

Sudangrass

Scientific Name: Sorghum bicolor
Life Cycle: Summer Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Min. Germination Temp.: 65 F

Upright summer annual that grows up to 8 feet tall. Leaves resemble corn.

Additional Resources

SEE ALL SUDANGRASS ARTICLES

Teff

Scientific Name: Eragrostis tef 
Life Cycle: Summer annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 4.5 - 8.0
Min. Germination Temp.: 65 F

This warm season annual grass grows 10-53 inches tall. Is often used for forage, but harvested for grain in Ethiopia. Has a large crown, many tillers, and a shallow diverse root system.

Additional Resources

See all Teff articles

Triticale

Scientific Name: xTriticosecale 
Life Cycle: Winter Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 5.2 - 7.2
Min. Germination Temp.: 38 F

Upright winter annual that grows 3-5 feet tall. Resembles its parents: wheat and winter cereal rye. Winter triticale requires vernalization to head and produce seed.

Additional Resources

Brassicas & mustards overview: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)

See all Triticale articles

Wheat

Scientific Name: Triticum aestivum
Life Cycle: Winter Annual
Growth Habit: Upright
Preferred Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
Min. Germination Temp.: 38 F

Upright winter annual that grows 3-4 feet tall. Has flat, narrow leaves and often tillers. Winter wheat requires vernalization to produce grain.

Additional Resources

Wheat: Managing Cover Crops Profitably (SARE Handbook Series Book 9) by Andy Clark (2007, 3rd ed.)

See all Wheat articles


Grasses Articles


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