The Practical Benefits of Planting Cover Crops

Farming isn’t just about what you harvest—it’s also about what you leave behind. And that’s where cover crops come in. These unsung heroes of agriculture aren’t grown for profit, at least not directly, but they’re one of the smartest investments a farmer can make.

At Rangeline Group, we’ve worked with other farmers across all kinds of cropping systems—row crops, livestock integration, organic farming, and vegetable operations. Time and again, we’ve seen how planting cover crops builds healthier soil, improves soil fertility, enhances weed control, and protects land from soil erosion. They’re not just another farming trend; they’re a necessity for long-term success.

Understanding Cover Crops and Their Role in Farming

What are cover crops? They’re exactly what they sound like—plants that cover the soil surface during the growing season, between cash crops, or alongside a main crop. Their job? To protect and improve soil health so it’s in better shape for the next crop.

Farmers choose from a variety of cover crop mixes, depending on their needs:

• Legume cover crops (crimson clover, hairy vetch, Austrian winter pea) – These guys are the nitrogen fixers, pulling nutrients from the air and storing them in the soil profile. If you’re tired of spending a fortune on fertilizer, they might be your new best friend.
• Grasses (cereal rye, oats, barley) – Tough and reliable, grasses build organic matter, aid in weed suppression, and act as a physical barrier to prevent soil loss. A farmer we work with swears by cereal rye because, as he puts it, “It holds my soil together better than duct tape.”
• Brassicas (forage radish, mustard, turnips) – Ever dealt with soil compaction that feels like concrete? Brassicas send down root channels, breaking up that hardpan, increasing water infiltration, and making life easier for your main crop.

The beauty of cover crop mixes is that they don’t just fit into a farming system—they improve soil health and work across different cropping systems. Whether you’re managing raised beds, large-scale row crops, or vegetable crops, there’s a way to make cover crop presence work for you.

Boosting Soil Health and Fertility

Soil isn’t just dirt—it’s a living, breathing system, and if you don’t take care of it, your crop yields will pay the price. Planting cover crops does a phenomenal job of feeding the soil profile while improving water quality and soil fertility.

• They add organic material, which improves soil moisture retention and crop residue breakdown.
• Their roots act like natural aerators, breaking up soil compaction and enhancing water infiltration.
• Legume cover crops make nitrogen available, cutting down on fertilizer costs and reducing sediment loss in runoff.
• They promote microbial activity, which is the key to truly improve soil health.

One of our clients, a mid-sized corn and soybean farmer, started planting crimson clover between rotations. Within two years, he saw a measurable difference in soil texture, crop production, and crop yields—and a noticeable dip in fertilizer expenses. Coincidence? Not a chance.

Keeping Soil Where It Belongs—On Your Farm

Soil erosion is a silent killer. You don’t notice it at first, but over time, valuable soil washes away, leaving you with less productive land. Once it’s gone, getting it back is nearly impossible.

Cover crops provide a physical barrier, preventing controlling erosion in three key ways:

1. Their roots anchor the soil, reducing water erosion during heavy rains.
2. They provide ground cover, protecting bare soil surface from wind erosion.
3. They improve water absorption, meaning less standing water and fewer problems with sediment loss and nutrient runoff.

A farmer we work with in the Midwest told us he used to lose topsoil every early spring because of heavy rains. After adding a winter cover crop of cereal rye, he saw a dramatic reduction in soil loss, and his fields bounced back faster after storms.

Winning the War on Weeds—Naturally

If there’s one thing farmers universally despise, it’s weeds. They steal nutrients, suppress crops, and force you to spend more on herbicides or manual labor. Planting cover crops, however, can turn the tide in your favor.

Here’s how they help:

• They suppress weeds by covering the soil surface, leaving little room for unwanted invaders.
• Some, like cereal rye, release natural chemicals that reduce populations of weed seeds before they even germinate (allelopathy).
• They choke out weed seedlings by shading the soil surface and competing for nutrients.

One of our organic farming clients, who’s completely herbicide-free, relies on flowering cover crops like buckwheat for summer weed suppression. “It’s like a living mulch,” he told us. “I just let it do the hard work for me.”

The Practical Benefits of Planting Cover Crops

Managing Pests and Diseases with Smarter Farming

Let’s be honest—dealing with pests and diseases is one of the least enjoyable parts of farming. Nothing’s worse than watching your vegetable crops get devoured by insects or taken down by an unexpected disease outbreak. But here’s the thing: planting cover crops can help.

By introducing flowering cover crops into your fields, you create a wildlife habitat that attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory beetles. These natural predators help control pests, reducing populations of harmful insects without relying heavily on pesticides.

If a particular pest thrives in corn or soybean crop residue, rotating in cover crop mixes such as cereal rye or crimson clover helps disrupt their habitat and food source. This method of crop rotation is a tried-and-true way to reduce infestations while improving soil health.

Strengthening Farm Ecosystems with Biodiversity

Biodiversity isn’t just a nice idea—it’s essential for soil fertility, weed suppression, and the overall resilience of a farm. Cover crops increase biodiversity by supporting a diverse range of plants, animals, and microorganisms that contribute to a healthier soil profile.

Pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, rely on flowering cover crops for food and shelter. If you’ve noticed fewer pollinators around your farm, adding living mulches like red clover or hairy vetch can help sustain their populations throughout the growing season.

When other farmers integrate cover crop mixes into their cropping systems, they often see reduced weed pressure, healthier soil, and fewer pest outbreaks. It’s a simple way to improve soil health while supporting other wildlife that contributes to a balanced farm ecosystem.

Using Cover Crops to Improve Water Management and Climate Resilience

Water management can make or break a season. Too much rain leads to soil loss, while too little means struggling crops. What are cover crops doing to help? A lot.

Cover crops play a critical role in controlling erosion by stabilizing the soil surface and reducing sediment loss from fields. Their deep root channels anchor the soil, preventing water erosion and keeping valuable nutrients where they belong.

Cover crops also improve water quality by filtering runoff before it reaches nearby waterways. Green manure crops, like crimson clover and forage radish, help absorb excess nutrients, reducing the risk of pollution and keeping waterways cleaner. By integrating cover crops into their farming operations, farmers can conserve water while also improving soil health.

How Cover Crops Lead to Better Yields and Lower Costs

At the end of the day, farming is a business, and crop production has to be profitable. That’s where cover crops provide long-term benefits. By improving soil fertility, increasing biodiversity, and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, they help cash crops thrive while cutting costs.

Healthy soil retains more nutrients, meaning crops require less external fertilizer. Legume cover crops like red clover and Austrian winter pea fix nitrogen in the soil, making it available for the next crop. This natural fertilization method significantly reduces input costs while enhancing soil fertility.

Overcoming Common Cover Crop Challenges

Let’s be real—cover cropping has its challenges. The upfront cost of cover crop seeds can make some farmers hesitant, and improper management can lead to competition with cash crops.

Here’s how to navigate those challenges:

• Start small: If the cost is a concern, begin with a small test plot before expanding to larger fields.
• Run a soil test: Understanding your soil profile helps determine which cover crops will provide the best results.
• Plan for termination: Whether through winter-kill, mowing, or herbicides, timely termination prevents unwanted cover crop presence when planting the next crop.

Many other farmers have faced these same challenges, but with proper planning, the long-term benefits—like increased crop yields and improved soil health—make it worth the effort.

Final Thoughts: The Case for Cover Crops

Cover crops aren’t just about keeping soil covered; they’re about smarter, more sustainable farming. They enhance soil fertility, suppress weeds, reduce soil erosion, and improve crop yields—all while conserving water and increasing biodiversity.

Sure, they require a shift in management. But for farmers looking to build a more resilient, profitable system, cover crops provide a practical solution that pays off over time.