Perennial Cropping Systems
These resources address cover crop use and management in perennial cropping systems.
- Expert Grower Database: Cover Cropping Practices in Orchards and Vineyards – This database is used to describe the cover cropping strategies, benefits, and challenges experienced by cover crop growers in the Sacramento Valley (website)
- Cover Crops as a Floor Management Strategy for Pacific Northwest Vineyards – Learn about suitable cover cropping species and strategies for vineyard floor management (Extension Publication)
- Improving Orchard Management through Multi-Species Cover Crop – This study investigated widespread plant and soil health impacts as well as economic considerations of using multi-species cover crops (article)
- NRCS Case Studies on Orchards:
- Analysis of Soil Health Properties in California Prune Orchard -Cover crops were used to assess soil-health related attributes under three prune orchard floor treatments including cover crops, resident vegetation, and disked-clean floor management (article)
- Soil Health Improvements in a Walnut Orchard using Cover Crops – Cover crops were used in this orchard to improve infiltration, build soil organic matter, and reduce runoff using for cover crop treatments (article)
- Cover Crop Seed Selection – Orchards – This article shares information on selecting a cover crop for your orchard based on your goals (article)
- Cover Cropping in Orchards: Seed Selection Webinar – Learn about seed selection options when cover cropping in orchards (video)
- Orchard Floor Management – This article describes strategies for orchard floor management, including the use of cover crops (article)
- The Potential for Legume Cover Crops in Washington Apple Orchards – This resource describes the possibilities for utilizing legumes for additional nitrogen in orchards (NRCS Technical Note)
- Legume Cover in Orchard Drive Alleys – This study looked at the ability of legume cover crops as a Nitrogen source for orchards (article)
- Evaluating cover crops for mature hazelnut orchards in the Willamette Valley, Oregon – This study investigated the benefits of cover crops in hazelnut orchards (article)
- Cover Cropping in Vineyards: a Grower’s Handbook – This guide features practical and effective solutions for enhancing vineyard performance using cover crops (Published in 1998; book available for purchase)
- Economic Considerations of Growing Bee-Friendly Cover Crops in Almond Orchards: Grower and Beekeeper Perspectives – Learn about the benefits and considerations of planting bee-friendly cover crops in Almond Orchards for both beekeepers and growers (article)
- Cover Cropping for Pollination and Soil Health in an Almond Orchard – This video describes the importance of cover cropping in almond orchards and how they can be utilized for pollination and soil health (video)
- Cover Crops Best Management – This guide describes recommended cover crop management practices for almond orchards, including timing, planning, planting, growth, and termination (Extension Publication)