Smother winter weeds and break pest cycles by planting the right cover crop species.
![cover crops for pollinators and beneficial insects cover crops for pollinators and beneficial insects](https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Cover-Cropping-for-Pollinators_cover-116x150.jpg)
Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
This 16-page bulletin will help you use cover crops to encourage populations of pollinators and beneficial insects on your farm while you address your other resource concerns. Download File (840.79 kB) | Online Text Version
![Download the Buckwheat cover crop handbook in PDF format Download the Buckwheat cover crop handbook in PDF format](https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Buckwheat-Cover-Crop-Handbook-cover-164x330.jpg)
Buckwheat Cover Crop Handbook
Buckwheat has been used to suppress weeds on Northeastern farms for 400 years. This handbook outlines how to use buckwheat as an economical weed-control tool, with recommendations based on extensive grower surveys, original research and on-farm trials.Download File (458.29 kB)
Influence of Cover Crops on Insect Pests and Predators in Conservation Tillage Cotton
Results of a two-year research project to determine the impact of several cover crops on pest and predator insects in conservation tillage cotton.
![sunn hemp research sunn hemp research](https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Sunn-hemp-research-150x113.jpg)
A Sunn Hemp Cover Crop for Soil Health and Nematode Management
These University of Hawaii fact sheets and virtual field day explain how to use sunn hemp as a cover crop to control weeds, nematodes and other pests, add soil nutrients, prevent erosion, and contribute to a more robust and complex community of beneficial nematodes.
Beyond Black Plastic
This publication explores sustainable, organic mulches such as cover crops and no-till and reduced tillage systems as alternatives to black plastic mulch for weed control. The booklet includes a discussion of the impact of organic mulches on soil quality and fertility, weed control, yields and waste production, and profitability for small to mid-size vegetable operations. Download File (1.51 MB)
Also, visit SARE's database for reports on these research projects:
- Trials and Informing Regional Farmers About Organic Weed Control Methods (2011, New Mexico)
- Integrating Ground Cover Crops and New Herbicide Strategies (Conventional and Organic) for Tree Growth and Soil Health, Part 1 and Part 2 (2011, New York)
- Suppression of Soybean Diseases Through the Use of Cover Crops (2010, Illinois)
- Rolled Down Cover Crop Mulch for Pumpkin and Soybean Production (2009, Pennsylvania)
- Selecting a Sunn Hemp Cover Crop Genotype for Weed Suppression and Seed Production (2008, Florida)
- Selecting Cover Crops for Diverse Functions: An Integrated Soil Management Approach for Organic Strawberry Production in North Carolina (2007, North Carolina)
- Using Cover Crops and Crop Diversity to Optimize Ecologically Based Weed Management (2005, Pennsylvania)
- Mustard Green Manures for Potato Production (2003, Washington)
Dig deeper into cover crops research: SARE has funded hundreds of research and education projects related to cover crops since 1988. This topic room features only a glimpse into SARE's entire portfolio of cover crop research. To discover more, visit SARE's database of projects and conduct full text or advanced keyword searches.