Weed Suppression with Cover Crops

By Jodi Henke

Cover crops are one way to control weeds after harvest and into early spring prior to planting. The physical barrier of cover crop residue on the soil surface helps suppress weed growth by changing the soil dynamics, growing quicker than weeds, and smothering weed seedlings. Bob Hartzler is an extension weed specialist at Iowa State University. He says if planting a cover crop to control weeds is your primary goal, then it’s all about the biomass. Cereal rye is a prolific mulch producer.