Rye, Cover Crop Seed

Rye is a common cover crop in the north country - suitable for garden and farms both.  Grow it for spring forage, grain, straw, for green manure, or to crimp and mulch in place in late spring.  Rye can be seeded any time in the North, beginning in early spring.  We usually seed it in the fall to overwinter - better if you can plant it in September or October, but rye can be planted later than other grains, even as late as end of November if necessary.  Rye doesn't usually put on much green growth in the fall, but it takes root, holding onto soil, feeding microbes, and taking up extra nutrients from the season before.  It is early to go to seed in the spring, usually shedding pollen in early June here.

Seed 5-6 lb/1,000 sq.ft. or 60-120 lbs per acre (higher rates especially if broadcasting or seeding at the end of the fall).  Use half a normal seeding rate if combining with a legume.  Germination rate 90%.

Call or write for ideas how to get the best results from rye or any cover crop.