Cover Crop Series: Winter Barley

• hpoppler
• Oct 1, 2024
• 1 min read

Updated: Oct 15, 2024

Ready for our next cover crop spotlight? Every week, we introduce a new cover crop species, providing growing advice along with the benefits and challenges they bring. This week’s feature is Winter Barley!

Planting Details:

• Should be planted between July 15th and October 15th north of interstate 94.

• The minimum germination temperature for planting should be 38 degrees F.

• Planting rate should be 50-75 lbs./acre and planted 3/4- 1 1/2″ deep.

About Winter Barley:

• Winter barley is a cereal grain that survives winter conditions.

• It is known for its ability to provide high-quality forage and act as a host for mycorrhizal fungi.

• It complements most cover crop mixes, enhancing overall soil benefits.

Benefits:

Low Maintenance

• Barley can smother weeds, which can reduce the need for herbicides.

• Because barley breaks down quickly, fields that were planted with barley require less tillage, which can help preserve soil structure.

Soil Health

• Barley can help reduce soil erosion and protect topsoil during drought.

Interested in learning more about crops or find info on how to get started?
Visit our Cover Crops page
, or Contact our Environmental Services team at
[email protected]