IN YOUR ORCHARD
THE BEE BOX
Tips and Tricks for Planning & Planting Cover Crop
Project Apis m .’s Seeds for Bees program is currently accepting applications to give growers free or subsidized cover crop seed. If you’ve never tried to cover crop, it can seem a little daunting, but it shouldn’t be. In this article we will go over a few helpful tips and tricks to help growers begin their cover crop journey. Cover cropping is essentially adding a new tool to your orchard toolbox. Like any tool, there are a few suggestions that can help with implementation and success. Be patient as you begin the journey, knowing that you will probably make some mistakes along the way. The cover crop tool can be an effective one for many underlying issues growers face in their orchards, but it’s not a silver bullet and it has to be managed well.
soil compaction or adding nitrogen to your soil, you can begin the first steps towards cover cropping.
Planning April through August is the time to start the planning process for your cover crop season. This is when Seeds for Bees has its open enrollment period, when we send out seed, and when we begin finalizing all the necessary aspects that go into planting after harvest. There are three fundamental questions at this point in the planning period: What kind of mix to plant? Here is where you select which seed mix will best suit your goals. How much seed do I need? This answer is dependent on your selected planting method, the number of acres to be planted, and the seeding rate for your mix. Choosing a planting method? There are a variety of planting methods available and each one has its own benefits. Once these questions are answered, you are well on your way to a successful planting. What Kind of Mix to Plant? If you are new to planting, we suggest starting with a brassica mix, like Seeds for Bees’ P Am Pollinator Brassica mix. It has three mustards, a canola, and a radish. This is an effective mix to start with because the brassica seeds are small and relatively homogeneous in size, making planting easy. Brassicas have a generally strong germination, take in any Central Valley scenario, and grow on relatively little water. Brassicas offer tremendous soil health and bee health benefits, too.
Like all things in the orchard, cover crops need to be managed. First and foremost, managing your crop starts with planning. It is important to select a cover crop that meets your needs and moves you towards your goals. Once you have determined your needs, such as reducing (Left) A Seeds for Bees sign is seen in the orchard of a seed recipient. (Right) Seeds for Bees Annual Clover Mix. May 2023. Credit: Project Apis m.
34
ALMOND FACTS
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker