Time to sow Cover Crops?

When is the best time to sow cover crops?

To determine the best time to sow cover crops it will all depends on what kind of game cover you are looking for.

Areas of cover crop are primarily planted to support game shooting. But their existence significantly increases the abundance of farmland birds, many of which are red-listed species.

What do you need your cover crop to provide?

• Food

Select a game cover crop that naturally produces a food source. Especially ones that provide seeds and grains into winter months.

• Shelter

Select a crop that can withstand harsh/ winter weather conditions and that can provide shelter when natural cover is hard to find.

• Nesting Cover

After hatching a hen will often take her brood to a game cover crops for shelter.

Mixed cover crops provide the greatest diversity. Each species will establish at different times.

They often contain brassicas (such as kale) which provide excellent cover and seed food value.

Cover mixes which contain triticale, quinoa, millet and linseed produce a high volume of nutritious seed which benefits a wide range of farmland birds throughout winter and spring – often referred to as the ‘hungry gap’.

Take a look at the Gamestay Traditional Mix here if this sounds like what you need. It is a mix of varieties offering good feed and late cover value.

Some of the available seeds and when to sow them:

• Game Cover Maize
  • Sow between May – June
• Sorghum
  • Sow between April – May
• Sunflowers
  • Sow between April – June
• Kale
  • Sow between May – June. For the Gamestay Carbon; which is a kale x mustard hybrid, sow between July – September
• Mustard
  • Sow between June – September
• Rescue mixtures such as Gamestay Revival or Gamestay Recoup
  • Sow between July – August

Other seeds and mixtures are available. Please do use the enquiry form or call 01308 485422 if you have specific requirements.