cover-crops

Vocabulary Word

Definition

'Cover crops' are plants used to cover the soil between periods of main-crop production. They help protect the soil from being washed away, and also add nutrients to make the soil healthier for future crops.

Examples in Different Contexts

In organic gardening, 'cover-crops' are used to naturally enrich the soil and suppress pests. An organic gardener might explain, 'Cover-crops like clover and vetch not only fix nitrogen in the soil but also attract beneficial insects.'

Practice Scenarios

Sustainability

Scenario:

Our client is a major agricultural company. They're particularly interested in reducing their carbon footprint, while keeping their crops healthy.

Response:

A great option would be to suggest they use cover crops. They can capture surplus nutrients and prevent them from leaking into groundwater.

Education

Scenario:

Next semester, our curriculum includes the study of sustainable agricultural practices. We particularly want to focus on soil health and protection.

Response:

We could start with lessons on cover crops: what they are, how to use them, and their impact on the environments.