A team of Clemson University researchers has found certain cover crops do not compete with cash crops for nutrients and water when grown in upstate South Carolina’s sandy loam soils.

Clemson researchers have found a cover crop mixture that can reduce costs for South Carolina farmers, rejuvenate farm soil and help conserve the state’s water supply if included in crop rotations. “Farmers in the southern United States grow cover crops primarily for biomass production and erosion control. We wanted to determine which cover crops would be most beneficial during the winter seasons in South Carolina," said Clemson graduate student Ricardo St. Aime.

Healthy crops begin with healthy soil, and researchers with the Clemson University’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program are teaching farmers how they can benefit from keeping their soils fit. The researchers teamed up with other agricultural professionals and farmers who have implemented soil-health principles by using cover crops, no-till and livestock integration to hold a conference to teach about soil health and tools to use to promote healthy soil.

Now that planting season is nearly wrapped up, it’s time to start thinking about protecting plants from their age-old nemesis: weeds.