Is your field wearing green?

St Patrick’s Day is approaching!  You’ve probably noticed that stores have added shamrocks to just about everything, from cupcakes to knee socks, but did you know that the Irish “shamrock” is just another word for a young clover leaf? 

Seeding a cover crop on your fields isn’t about luck or Irish tradition, but fields that are “wearing the green” between crops can expect improved soil texture, less erosion, higher retention of nutrients, and reduced compaction.  Some cover crops, like clover, can also fix nitrogen in the soil.  The roots of cover crops add organic material to the soil as they decay.  Later on, water can move downward through the spaces left by the roots.  This helps fields hang onto scarce rainfall from fast thunderstorms in the hot summer months, and helps soggy fields drain in the spring.

By the time St. Patrick’s Day rolls around, most of our fields are either brown or white.  But the brown residue of a winter-killed cover crop can still hold soil during snowmelt or spring rains.  The roots and dead tops still work to protect the soil.  And this is an important time to protect your valuable soil; most erosion and nutrient loss from fields occurs when there isn’t a commodity crop in the field.

Since St. Patrick went to Ireland, less than two inches of topsoil have developed.  This much can be lost in one bad winter!  Consider adding a cover crop to your rotation.  With a little luck, it might even put some green in your pocket from increased yields.  For more information on cover crops, and possible cost-share programs, contact the Wood SWCD office.

Photo From University of Wisconsin Extension