Cultivated Oats

Cultivated oats are an annual grass used commonly as a cover crop because of their low maintenance needs, adaptability to weather, and benefits to soil health. Oats die out during severe winter conditions, eliminating the need for termination when used as a cover crop. Mowing oats before seed set will prevent volunteer seedlings from contaminating the following crop. This cover crop grows well with legumes and tolerates acidic soils better than any other grain.