Wondering where to start when it comes to implementing cover crops & improving the health of your soil? Whatever the context, feel free to contact us so we can gain a better understanding of your farm & your goals.
The fundamentals
Why Plant Diversity?
Monoculture Environment: plants are all competing for the same sunlight, moisture & nutrients - all at the exact same time. This is competition.
Multi-Species Environment: plants are forming symbiotic relationships with rhizobium bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and other soil micro-organisms to fix, solubilize & share nutrients (and water). This is collaboration.
Image: Competition vs. Collaboration
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Soil health strategies
These practices and guidelines have been accumulated from like-minded farmers across the prairies who have shared their successes (& failures). Before you begin, ask yourself - what goals do you want to accomplish on the farm by implementing these strategies?
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Pothole Cover: Have unseeded acres due to excess moisture? What a great opportunity to introduce the farm to cover crops.
Relay Cropping: Learn more about relay cropping & the benefits of establishing a legume with your cereal crop.
Intercropping: Learn from like-minded farmers across Western Canada as they share their successes (and failures) from intercropping.
Green Manure: Improve water infiltration and reduce compaction by implementing plant diversity. Learn more about the positive benefits of this practice the following year.
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fALL sEEDED Cover crop Options
Cover crops slow erosion, feed soil biology, reduce/smother weeds, promote mycorrhizal fungi, and improve water infiltration/holding capacity while bringing a host of other benefits to your farm.
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Fall Seeded Annual Cover: Our recommended annual cover crop blend is to be planted after you have harvested a cereal or canola crop. These plants will not overwinter.
Individual Seeds: To better serve your plant diversity needs, we are now offering individual seeds. Design your own blend to meet farm goals.