Summer cover crop

[Masterofnone]

I’m wanting to plant a summer cover crop in some marginal land. Heavy clay. We’ve had consistently low yields, and it works up slabby. I want to put some structure back in and think the best way is roots.
most mixes are focussed on winter cover and Nfixing. I want a summer structure mix that will work at different levels taking out compaction putting in big taps as well as small root hairs and holding soil apart. It doesn’t have to have a legume in as l don’t mind feeding it if it will do the job, any N put in should come back for the next crop anyway.
any help, pointers or contacts greatly appreciated

 

[Great In Grass]

A mix of Tillage/Oilseed Radish with either Berseem or Crimson Clover? It would be fairly reasonably priced too!

 

[Brisel]

When would the previous crop be harvested & what is the following crop? Just need an idea of timescales & establishment methods. My advice would be to keep it cheap - if you were leaving it over winter it would be a different thought process & species choice.

 

[Masterofnone]

Previous crop was spring barley. Harvested late. We attempted to get a winter cover crop in, so it’s half drilled with fodder rye and vetch, but the weather shut us down end of sept, so never got back to it and it never really grew. Our approach has since changed a little since then so our aim is to forget winter cover and drill winter cereals EARLY, get them forward and graze them with sheep if need be. This field is destined for winter wheat.
weve so often grown spring barley, it gets us out of trouble but rarely gets us forward and doesn’t attempt to root much so our soils stay slumpy. I don’t want another late harvest. But want to drill this field on the right day into the best possible conditions.
It might cost me something now but if it pays me back over the next few years that’s fine

 

[Masterofnone]

We run a claydon drill. But also have a broadcaster on the sprayer and straw rake

 

[EddieB]

I would use a mix of species to target different root zones. Radishes, linseed, buckwheat might all work. You might want to top it to stop seed set in June, if you had some clover and vetch in the mix they might help maintain a good canopy after topping?

 

[CORK]

I’d include Phacelia, produces lots of fine roots and doesn’t conflict with any other crops in the rotation.