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Three-Way Summer Cover Crop Kit
SKU: BDL-SUMMCC
$48.99 $3.27/lb
- Covers 1 acre
- Seeding rate: 15 lb per acre
- 15 lb bundle
Total Price: $48.99
Estimated Delivery: 15-18 business days
What is the Three-Way Summer Cover Crop Kit?
The Three-Way Summer Cover Crop Kit is a focused, high-performance summer planting system built around three warm-season workhorses. Each species is selected for a specific soil health role: Hairy Vetch for nitrogen fixation and canopy cover, Sorghum-Sudangrass for biomass and root-channel development, and Cowpeas for additional fertility and grazing utility. The kit is intentionally simple — three species means easier termination management, more predictable biomass ratios, and a lower learning curve for farmers new to cover cropping without sacrificing the core soil health benefits.
Specifications
Seeding Specs
Water Needs Moderate — drought tolerant once established
Soil Preference Well-drained loam to sandy loam
Soil pH 6.0 – 7.0
Planting Depth 1/2 – 1 inch
Establishment Specs
Height 24 – 96 inches (Sorghum-Sudan dominant)
Color Purple (Vetch), White (Cowpeas)
Uses Summer Cover Crop, Green Manure, Grazing, Biomass
Native/Introduced Introduced species
Why Choose This Seed?
Heat Tolerance
All three species in this kit are true warm-season plants that germinate and grow best when soil temperatures are above 60 F. Sorghum-Sudangrass thrives in temperatures that shut down cool-season covers. This makes the kit ideal for filling the June–August cover crop gap in most U.S. cropping systems.
Biomass Production
Sorghum-Sudangrass can produce 4,000–8,000 lb of dry biomass per acre in a single summer season. This bulk adds organic matter, creates a thick mulch mat for no-till transitions, and provides habitat for beneficial insects and soil fauna. Mow or crimp before seed set to prevent volunteer issues.
Nitrogen Fixation
Hairy Vetch and Cowpeas are both productive nitrogen fixers in warm, well-drained soils. When inoculated and terminated at peak flowering, they can contribute 80–150 lb of available nitrogen per acre to the following cash crop — a real reduction in synthetic fertilizer input.
Grazing Potential
Cowpeas and Hairy Vetch are highly palatable and protein-rich summer forages. Sorghum-Sudangrass provides bulk dry matter. Graze rotationally after stands are 18–24 inches tall and avoid overgrazing below 6 inches to ensure adequate regrowth capacity.
Clean Termination
Three-species mixes terminate more cleanly than complex multi-species blends. Mow Sorghum-Sudangrass at boot stage, crimp Vetch at 50% bloom, and allow 3–4 weeks of decomposition before drilling cash crops. The simple residue profile makes nitrogen release timing more predictable.
How to Use the Three-Way Summer Cover Crop Kit
Site Prep
Terminate any existing crop residue and create a firm, level seedbed. Summer cover crops benefit from a slightly roughened surface to improve broadcast seed coverage. If drilling into heavy residue, ensure openers are clearing down to mineral soil for consistent seeding depth.
Seeding
Drill at 3/4 inch depth for Cowpeas and Sorghum-Sudan, 1/2 inch for Hairy Vetch, or broadcast the pre-mixed bag and cultipack for firm contact. Inoculate Hairy Vetch and Cowpeas separately with legume inoculants labeled for each species. Seed into soil moisture for fastest germination.
Establishment
Sorghum-Sudangrass emerges in 5–7 days in warm soils and will dominate canopy early. Cowpeas follow within 7–10 days. Hairy Vetch is slower to establish but catches up once temperatures moderate. Full canopy closure typically occurs within 3–5 weeks of planting under good moisture conditions.
Termination or Management
Terminate with a roller-crimper at early to full bloom on legumes and at boot stage for Sorghum-Sudangrass. Alternatively, mow to 3–4 inches and disk lightly for spring-like seedbed preparation. Allow 3–4 weeks before planting into the terminated mat. Never leave Sorghum-Sudan to set mature seed.
Helpful Resources
Cover Crop Planting Guide
The Ultimate Guide for Improving Clay Soil for Thriving Plant Growth
All About Cover Crops & Green Manure
Questions & Answers
What is the planting window for this summer kit?
Plant after your last frost date when soil temperatures are consistently above 60 F — typically May through July for most of the continental U.S. In southern regions, you can push into early August for a late-season cover before fall crops.
Is Sorghum-Sudangrass hard to terminate?
Sorghum-Sudangrass is most manageable when terminated before it reaches 6 feet. At that size, a single pass with a roller-crimper or mower is usually sufficient. Do not allow it to set seed. If it regrows after mowing, a second pass or light cultivation will finish it.
Can I graze this cover crop?
Yes, with one caution: do not graze Sorghum-Sudangrass that is stressed by drought, frost damage, or recent mowing below 6 inches. Prussic acid can build up in the plant under stress. Graze established, actively growing stands that are at least 18 inches tall and have not been recently stressed.
How much nitrogen will this blend fix?
Under good inoculation and growing conditions, Hairy Vetch can fix 60–120 lb of nitrogen per acre and Cowpeas can contribute another 40–80 lb. Actual plant-available nitrogen released to the next crop depends on termination timing, residue decomposition rate, and soil temperature.
Will this mix work in a no-till system?
Yes. Roller-crimp the entire stand at the appropriate growth stage for each species — boot stage for Sorghum-Sudan, full bloom for Vetch and Cowpeas. The thick mulch mat suppresses weeds and feeds soil biology as it decomposes. Plant cash crops directly into the mat with a no-till drill.
Does the kit include inoculant?
The kit does not include inoculant. We recommend purchasing a multi-strain legume inoculant or individual inoculants for Hairy Vetch (Rhizobium viceae) and Cowpeas (Bradyrhizobium) separately. Inoculation is especially important in fields where these species have not been grown recently.
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