cover crop

American  

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 British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of cover crop

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

“We want to rely on natural chemicals in the soil, like from our cover crop, which jump-starts that natural nutrient capacity of the soil.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2025

In other areas of the state, they are grown primarily as a cover crop, a plant grown to control weeds and promote soil health.

From Salon • May 14, 2025

The declines varied depending on factors such as cover crop type, soil moisture and soil quality.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 2, 2023

Swiss-headquartered agrichemicals and seeds group Syngenta began offering a cover crop seed mixture in Spain this year.

From Reuters • Sep. 14, 2023

The soil should be compact, and the seeding can be made in the spring with a cover crop, or in August by itself.

From Crops and Methods for Soil Improvement by Agee, Alva