OATS COVER CROP Avena sativa

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1 OATS COVER CROP Avena sativa Marionswcd.org Version: January 2018 Kevin Allison Marion County SWCD USDA and its partnering organizations are equal opportunity providers, employers and lenders Page 1 of 15

2 OATS COVER CROP Cover Crop Type Life Cycle Growth Habit Winter Survival Inoculation Type Organic Termination COVER CROP Non Legume Cool Season Annual Upright Seldom None Freeze, Tillage, Mowing at Flower Seeding Rate (Broadcast with Incorporation) 4 Ounces/100 Sq. Ft. Mixtures with legumes should contain no more than lbs/acre of oats (1 oz/100 sq. ft.) Planting Depth ½ 1 Location Season Seeding Window Additional Freeze Risk Southern Indiana Spring March 1 May 15 Southern Indiana Fall July 15 Sept. 30 Sept. 30 Oct. 15 Northern Indiana Spring March 15 May 30 March 1 March 15 Northern Indiana Fall July 15 Sept. 15 Sept. 15 Sept. 30 Source: NRCS FOTG, MCCC Indiana Vegetable Crop Tool Page 2 of 15

3 Oats are a reliable cool season, annual cover crop in the vegetable garden. Its many benefits include quick growth, weed suppression, and nutrient scavenging. Photo: September Page 3 of 15

4 If planted in the fall, the oats will winterkill and leave a mulch that can be left to decompose. Planting oats earlier in their seeding window often increases its ability to outcompete weeds. Photo: February Page 4 of 15

5 A winterkilled oats cover crop works well to prepare for a low till or no till planting of early spring vegetables. Spring planting options include strip furrowing for direct seeded vegetables or making space for transplants. Page 5 of 15

6 Suitable crops might include peas, beets, carrots, onions, spinach, kale, early greens, and leeks. Page 6 of 15

7 Growers concerned with the mulch s compatibility with their planting or harvesting methods can rake the oats mulch aside before planting the crop. Page 7 of 15

8 Oat cover crop residue left on the growing bed decomposes as spring temperatures and biological activity increase. Some growers chop up the oats cover crop after it winterkills to evenly spread the mulch residue. Planting an early crop or mulching up helps suppress weeds further into the season. Page 8 of 15

9 Oats mix well with other cover crops and can even improve the productivity of companion legume cover crops like hairy vetch and crimson clover. The oats winterkill, and winter hardy legumes survive into spring and continue increasing soil health. Oats and Hairy Vetch Page 9 of 15

10 Oats (winterkilled) and Crimson Clover Oats and Crimson Clover Page 10 of 15

11 When mixing with a legume cover crop, reduce the rate of the oats to avoid outcompeting the legume. Though excellent for weed suppression, a thick winterkilled oats can create a mat that also suppresses the legume. If spring legume growth is a goal, mixtures with legumes should contain no more pounds/acre (1 ounce/100 sq. ft.) of oats or cereal rye. Thick stand of oats suppressing crimson clover Page 11 of 15

12 Oats can also be used with oilseed radish, another winterkill cover crop. In this picture, oats and radishes were mixed and seeded after a sweet corn crop. Oats and radishes scavenge or collect excess nitrogen after the vegetable growing season. Page 12 of 15

13 Oats can increase mycorrhizal fungi in the soil, and several species of vegetables use this fungi network to cycle nutrients from the soil. Page 13 of 15

14 Winterkilled oats are go to cover crop for both beginners and seasoned growers. Oats are one of the easiest cover crops to grow and manage. Page 14 of 15

15 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES MCCC Indiana Vegetable Crop Tool: Oats (coming soon) tool/ Center/Books/Managing Cover Crops Profitably 3rd Edition/Text Version/Nonlegume Cover Crops/Oats crops for no till/low residue winterkilledfor early planting/ Indiana NRCS Homepage: Page 15 of 15