Nitrogen Scavengers

Nitrogen Scavenger Seed

Non-legume cover crops will scavenge or “trap� soil nitrate that would otherwise move out of the rootzone into tile drains or groundwater. Typical scavenger cover crops include grasses such as cereal rye and annual ryegrass, and brassicas such as oilseed radish. In order to maximize nitrogen back into the soil these crops should be cut and decomposed back into the soil.

The Indiangrass is a warm-season bunchgrass that is native to central and eastern North America and provides cover and food for wildlife. This grass can reach up to seven feet tall and is a common species of the Tallgrass Prairie. The beautiful, plume-like seed heads are very ornamental making them excellent for prairie and conservation mixtures.

The Sideoats Grama is a warm-season bunchgrass grain variety that is easy to grow and native throughout much of North America. The ornamental and distinctive seed spikes hang from only one side of the stalk, and these make good fresh or dried cuttings. This grain prefers full sun and moderate to dry soils. The Sideoats Grama is recommended for meadow and prairie plantings, beds & borders, and as a component of forage mixes for livestock and wildlife.