cover crop

noun

1. a crop, usually a legume, planted to keep nutrients from leaching, soil from eroding, and land from weeding over, as during the winter.

cover crop

noun

1. a crop planted between main crops to prevent leaching or soil erosion or to provide green manure

Word History and Origins

Origin of cover crop¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Rye, which they once grew only as a cover crop to add nutrients when tilled into the soil, is now used to make their bottled-in-bond rye whiskey, generating favorable notice and revenue.

From The Daily Beast

Once the spring comes along, Stein crimps the cover crop down with flattening boards, then covers it with more compost to start decomposing—facilitating the best possible environment in which to plant the cannabis.

From Nautilus

I felt that I had made a mistake in not sowing a cover crop in my orchard the previous year.

From Project Gutenberg

When possible a cover crop should be put on fall plowed land where there is likely to be loss of plant food by leaching.

From Project Gutenberg

Cover crop, a crop to cover the soil during the interval between regular corps.

From Project Gutenberg

Thorough cultivation is practiced and the fall cover crop of oats, barley or clover is coming into favor.

From Project Gutenberg

The legumes fulfil the three requisites of the cover crop: protection, humus, and the storing of nitrogen.

From Project Gutenberg