Cover crops: winter wheat
Information on the benefits and growth habits of winter wheat planted as a cover crop.
Description
Family
- Grass
Growth habits
Top growth
- Rapid fall growth — not as fast as rye at low temperatures
- Slower maturing than rye
Root system
- Fibrous root system — not as aggressive as rye
Overwintering
- Does not winterkill
Site suitability
- Tolerates a moderately wide range of site conditions
- Does not thrive well in saturated or droughty soils
Control options
- Needs to be controlled early in spring to avoid excessive drying of soil
Sensitivity to herbicides — weed control
- There are many herbicides registered for use in wheat but good weed control for a cover crop should not be expensive and may not be needed. Establish a vigorous crop canopy to smother out weeds.
Benefits and concerns
Nutrient management
- Nitrogen uptake is only half of that of rye in the fall
- Nitrogen uptake is high in the spring
Soil moisture
- High water use in spring
As feed
- Grown as a cover crop and food crop
- Green growth can be harvested as forage
Getting started
Establishment
- Can be overseeded in growing crop (e.g. beans, tomatoes)
- Should be planted by the end of September for an effective cover crop
Cost and availability
- Seed easily available and inexpensive
Updated: May 28, 2024
Published: August 23, 2022