Cover crops are plants specifically grown not for harvest but to improve and protect the soil beneath them. Their primary purpose is to enhance soil health by preventing erosion, managing soil fertility, and supporting beneficial microbial life. These crops anchor the soil with their roots to reduce loss from wind and water runoff while also increasing the soil’s organic matter content. Selecting the right seeds allows growers to effectively cycle nutrients, suppress weeds, and improve water availability for future cash crops.
Local and Small-Scale Retailers
Local retailers present a convenient option for obtaining cover crop seeds in small quantities. Garden centers, hardware stores, and agricultural co-ops often stock popular species like crimson clover, buckwheat, and annual ryegrass.
The advantage of shopping locally is the ability to consult with staff who possess knowledge about regional planting times and suitable varieties for specific soil types. This guidance is helpful when choosing between a nitrogen-fixing legume or a deep-rooted brassica. However, the selection is typically limited, and seeds are usually packaged in smaller bags, resulting in a higher cost per pound compared to purchasing in bulk.
Specialized Online Suppliers
Specialized online suppliers offer a significantly broader catalog of cover crop varieties, often specializing in conservation seeds and unique mixtures. These e-commerce companies provide access to niche varieties, such as specific cultivars of cereal rye or blends designed for particular goals like nematode suppression or maximum biomass production.
When ordering online, it is important to check the vendor’s shipping policies, as seed can be heavy, and freight costs can substantially increase the final price. Some online suppliers may also have minimum order sizes. Buyers should focus on suppliers with a reputation for quality and clear labeling, as the purchase relies entirely on the vendor’s description and testing data.
Buying in Bulk from Agricultural Distributors
For those managing larger areas, purchasing directly from agricultural distributors or wholesale seed houses is the most cost-effective method. These distributors typically sell cover crop seeds in large bags, often 25 pounds or more, which reduces the price per pound compared to retail packaging. This method is suitable for planting multiple acres or for those who plan to utilize cover crops consistently.
Procuring seed in this manner may involve contacting a sales representative directly, especially for very large orders or custom blends. Buying in bulk requires the buyer to have adequate, dry storage space to maintain seed viability until planting.
Key Factors When Evaluating a Seed Vendor
A thorough evaluation of the vendor and the seed quality is necessary to ensure a successful planting. The most important step is to examine the seed tag, which is required by law and must accompany every bag of seed sold. The seed tag provides data from an official seed test, which is a direct indicator of the lot’s quality.
Specific details to review on the tag include:
- The percentage of purity, which indicates the proportion of the desired seed species present in the bag.
- The germination rate, a percentage that estimates how many seeds are expected to sprout under ideal conditions.
- The percentage of weed seeds.
- The presence of prohibited noxious weed seeds, which should be avoided entirely.
For optimal performance, growers should look for seeds that are regionally adapted, meaning the variety has been proven to perform well in the local climate and soil conditions. Purchasing certified seed guarantees a tested, pure variety. Finally, for those interested in organic practices, checking for organic certification confirms the seed was produced without prohibited synthetic substances.