Organic Oats

Organic Oats

Avena sativa

Oats are a cereal grain that are known for their rapid germination and growth. They can be planted in the fall or spring, and work excellently when they are utilized for erosion control purposes and temporary ground protection. Due to their rapid growth, they out-compete unwanted weeds and put organic matter back into soil that has been drained of nutrients. Oats work well as a cover crop because they will die out during severe winter conditions. Oats are an annual crop that should be worked into the soil or mowed back before they set seeds. This will help prevent any volunteer seedlings from showing up in the following crop.