Urban Farmer Cover Crop Learning Center

Choose cover crops by the job your soil needs done.

Explore erosion control, nitrogen, nutrient capture, weed pressure, compaction, pollinators, forage, and wildlife value—then calculate seed and open a crop-specific Seed to Termination guide.

Explore the function map ↓Calculate seed quantity ↓
20 how-to guidesEvery completed cover-crop guide in one directory.
11 management goalsStart with the problem, then compare suitable crops.
19 seed ratesCalculate small plots through multi-acre plantings.
Seed to terminationPlan the exit before any cover crop is planted.

Start with your goal

What do you want the cover crop to accomplish?

Most species do several jobs, but none does everything equally well. Choose the primary goal first, then check planting window, water use, rotation fit, equipment, and termination.

Cover Crop Function Map

A crop-selection map inspired by the logic of an elements chart

Filter by a soil or farm goal. Colors show functional plant groups; every tile opens the matching Urban Farmer guide.

AfAlfalfaCool perennialArAnnual RyegrassCool annualBaBarleyCool annualBwBuckwheatWarm quick cropCrCereal RyeWinter annualClCloverCool annual/perennialChCover Crop ChicoryCool biennialCpCover Crop CowpeasWarm annualFxCover Crop FlaxCool annualMxCover Crop MixesMulti-speciesOaCover Crop OatsCool annualRdCover Crop RadishCool annualTuCover Crop TurnipsCool annualFbForage BrassicaCool annualHvHairy VetchWinter annualSsSorghum-SudangrassWarm annualSfSunflowerWarm annualShSunn HempWarm annualWhWinter & Ancient WheatWinter annual/grainPeWinter & Field PeasCool annual
Grasses & grainsLegumesBrassicasOther broadleavesMixtures

Need a deeper side-by-side comparison?

Filter 20 crop groups across season, rate, depth, winter behavior, water use, inoculation, termination, forage value, and mixture quantities.

Open the advanced comparison tool →

Seed quantity calculator

From a backyard plot to whole acres.

Choose one crop, enter the planted area, and compare the low and high full-stand seed amount.

  • Drilled rates assume reliable placement and seed-to-soil contact.
  • Broadcast mode adds a planning allowance of 25%.
  • Reduce individual species rates in mixtures—do not add full monoculture rates together.
Estimated seed needed—

Open the guide →
Use this as a planning estimate. Seed size, germination, planting date, equipment, soil moisture, local conservation specifications, and the exact variety can change the correct rate. Blend formulas require their labeled rate.

Seed to Termination library

Open every Urban Farmer cover-crop how-to guide

Each guide covers planting windows, rates, benefits, diagnostics, crop-specific cautions, and complete termination.

AfAlfalfaCool perennial · 5 mapped benefitsRead guide →ArAnnual RyegrassCool annual · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →BaBarleyCool annual · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →BwBuckwheatWarm quick crop · 5 mapped benefitsRead guide →CrCereal RyeWinter annual · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →ClCloverCool annual/perennial · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →ChCover Crop ChicoryCool biennial · 5 mapped benefitsRead guide →CpCover Crop CowpeasWarm annual · 7 mapped benefitsRead guide →FxCover Crop FlaxCool annual · 4 mapped benefitsRead guide →MxCover Crop MixesMulti-species · 10 mapped benefitsRead guide →OaCover Crop OatsCool annual · 7 mapped benefitsRead guide →RdCover Crop RadishCool annual · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →TuCover Crop TurnipsCool annual · 5 mapped benefitsRead guide →FbForage BrassicaCool annual · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →HvHairy VetchWinter annual · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →SsSorghum-SudangrassWarm annual · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →SfSunflowerWarm annual · 5 mapped benefitsRead guide →ShSunn HempWarm annual · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →WhWinter & Ancient WheatWinter annual/grain · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →PeWinter & Field PeasCool annual · 6 mapped benefitsRead guide →

Home gardens & raised beds

No plot is too small for a cover-crop rotation

Use short open windows between vegetables, hand-scale planting methods, and a termination plan that fits the bed—not farm machinery.

A five-step small-space method

Raised beds use the same biology as fields, but planting and termination must fit tighter timing and simpler tools.

  1. Choose one primary soil goal and confirm the season.
  2. Remove weeds and rake a level, firm seedbed.
  3. Hand-broadcast evenly or make shallow rows 3–6 inches apart.
  4. Rake or press seed to the guide’s depth and keep it moist.
  5. Terminate before seed with a method sized to the bed.
Spring → fall

Spring green manure, then fall greens

Grow peas and oats during an open spring bed, terminate while succulent, then allow residue to break down before spinach, lettuce, or other fall greens.

Open the mixes guide →
Early crop → summer

Follow peas or radishes with buckwheat

Use buckwheat for a fast 4–6 week summer window after early vegetables. Cut at early bloom before seed, then prepare for autumn planting.

Open the buckwheat guide →
Fall → spring

Build a winter-protected bed

Use oats for winter-killed mulch or choose cereal rye with hairy vetch only when you can manage stronger spring growth and active termination.

Open the oats guide →
Small-space planting tip: Use the calculator’s square-foot setting, split the seed into two equal portions, and broadcast the second pass at a right angle to the first for more uniform coverage. Rake lightly and water gently.

Termination method selector

Match the crop, growth stage, and tool

Select a method to see where it is most practical. Always open the crop-specific guide before choosing the final timing.

Fast cutting method

Mow or string-trim

Good candidates or starting points

A repeatable planning sequence

Four decisions before seed touches soil

01 · DEFINE

Name the primary job

Erosion, nitrogen, weeds, compaction, forage, wildlife, or a deliberately balanced mix.

02 · FIT

Match climate and rotation

Confirm planting window, water availability, winter survival, following crop, and any pest-host conflicts.

03 · ESTABLISH

Calibrate and place seed

Use the crop guide for rate, depth, inoculation, and drilled versus broadcast adjustments.

04 · TERMINATE

Plan the exit now

Choose timing and equipment before planting, prevent mature seed, and verify that crowns or vines are dead.