catch crop

American  

noun

1. a crop that reaches maturity in a relatively short time, often planted as a substitute for a crop that has failed or at a time when the ground would ordinarily lie fallow, as between the plantings of two staple crops.

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catch crop British  

noun

1. a quick-growing crop planted between two regular crops grown in consecutive seasons, or between two rows of regular crops in the same season

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Other Word Forms

• catch cropping
  noun

Etymology

Origin of catch crop

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

They are an ideal catch crop where early seedings of other crops have failed and will grow in the 100 to 120 days between a late spring harvest and a fall planting.

From Time Magazine Archive

The conservationists recommend a covering of chopped cornstalks or manure, or a quick-growing catch crop, to blanket the worms and tide them through the winter.

From Time Magazine Archive

The local County Agricultural Committee then ordered him to sow the same 20-acre field to a catch crop of mustard, which would also be plowed under while green to enrich the soil.

From Time Magazine Archive

Oats.—When a fall growth is wanted for the soil, and it is preferred that the plants be dead in the spring, oats make a good catch crop.

From Crops and Methods for Soil Improvement by Agee, Alva

Grain and Clover.—In the case of some soils it is possible to grow a wheat or corn crop each year, clover being grown as a catch crop.

From Crops and Methods for Soil Improvement by Agee, Alva