Pollinators still need food and pollen to help pollinate the
multitude of crops that are so vital at this time – something
various mixtures containing wildflowers are ideally suited to.
It is important to consider the structure of soil also. If left bare,
the following year when the shoot does start up again will be
frustrating as crops will struggle to grow – money spent now
will make future savings. It is well worth considering planting
a catch crop or green manuring crop that will build nutrients
and add biomass to the soil. Additionally, getting a crop down
will prevent weeds from growing and becoming a nuisance for
the following year.
A final opportunity if cancelling shoots this year is the chance
to establish a perennial crop without missing out on a year, and
without sowing this with a nurse crop. Things like canary grass
normally take a year to become established, but if you are
missing a year anyway this isn’t as much as a problem.
Revival Mix and Other Options
For its part, Bright Seeds has developed its ‘Revival Mix,’
specifically designed for these unusual times. The aim is to
provide a nitrogen-fixing crop that is mindful of cost, yet
beneficial to wild stocks and other wildlife. Not intended to be
a fully-fledged winter hardy game cover; but a crop able to
mark and hold land intended for future game cover.
Additionally, the mix can clean-up weed-burdened land used
for game cover: and for each acre sold, £2 will be donated to the
National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) to assist its
members. Containing mustard, radish, vetch, quinoa, phacelia
and buckwheat, the mix will provide feed value, early
establishment and colour (an important consideration at the
moment).
We are also seeing a heightened demand for perennial
cropping, particularly our range of Royal Mark mixtures. As
mentioned, longer term crops such as canary grass and chicory
don’t grow much in their first year, meaning the lack of cover
in year one is not such an issue. One mix we recommend is
Royal Mark 4: a blend of chicory, sweet clover, Utopia and
interval. Utopia and interval provide cover in the first year if
needed whilst the chicory will go on to last for well over 4
years. Perennial options can be highly cost-effective.
To order or discuss your cover crop options, call Bright Seeds
on 01722 744494; or visit the website www.brightseeds.co.uk/
Rural Life | 15