nurse crop

noun

a crop planted in the same field with another crop, especially to minimize the growth of weeds.

Origin of nurse crop

First recorded in 1935–40

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

When thus grown, the preparation of soil for the nurse crop will usually suffice for the clovers also.
Clovers and How to Grow Them | Thomas Shaw
If sown later, the seed will more certainly make a stand without a nurse crop, since it will get more moisture.
Clovers and How to Grow Them | Thomas Shaw
The chief virtue in rape as a nurse crop is that the shade is removed early through pasturing.
Clovers and How to Grow Them | Thomas Shaw
One chief objection to flax as a nurse crop is that it is commonly sown late.
Clovers and How to Grow Them | Thomas Shaw
When sown with a nurse crop, the seed is in some instances mixed with the grain before it is sown.
Clovers and How to Grow Them | Thomas Shaw

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