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Cover Crop Calculator

Seed Needed

0.5 lbs

Cost

$2

N Fixed

2.3 lbs

Units

= 0.023 acres

Crimson Clover

0.5
lbs of seed
$2
seed cost
Typelegume
PlantLate summer–fall
WinterOverwinters (mow in spring)
Height12–18"
Days to Mow150 days

Benefits

Nitrogen fixerPollinator foodWeed suppressor

Nitrogen Fixation

N Fixed2.3 lbs
Equiv. 10-10-10 Bags0.5
Fertilizer Savings$2

N Fixation by Crop (lbs/acre)

White Clover130 lb
Hairy Vetch120 lb
Red Clover110 lb
Crimson Clover100 lb
Field Peas80 lb

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What You'll Need

Mountain Valley Seed Co No-Till Garden Farm and Garden Cover Crop Mix Seeds | 5 Lbs - Blend of Gardening Cover Crop Seeds: Hairy Vetch, Daikon Radish, Forage Collards, Triticale, More

$31.414.6
View on Amazon
No-Till Cover Crop 13-Seed Mix (½-lb): [50% Clovers Plus Fenugreek, Vetch, Flax, Cowpeas, Buckwheat, Forage Peas, Millet, Lentils, Crimson Clover, Sweet Yellow Clover, White Clover, Medium Red Clover]

No-Till Cover Crop 13-Seed Mix (½-lb): [50% Clovers Plus Fenugreek, Vetch, Flax, Cowpeas, Buckwheat, Forage Peas, Millet, Lentils, Crimson Clover, Sweet Yellow Clover, White Clover, Medium Red Clover]

$11.994.3
View on Amazon
Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader - for Grass Seed, Lawn Fertilizers, Salt, and Ice Melt, Handheld Spreader Holds up to 1,500 sq. ft. of Product

Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader - for Grass Seed, Lawn Fertilizers, Salt, and Ice Melt, Handheld Spreader Holds up to 1,500 sq. ft. of Product

$24.994.7
View on Amazon
Chapin 8740A: 64-Ounce Black Poly Hand Shaker Spreader for Turf, Fertilizer, Grass Seed, Salt and Sand, Year-Round Use, Large Grip Handle with 3 Openings for Pellets and Particles

Chapin 8740A: 64-Ounce Black Poly Hand Shaker Spreader for Turf, Fertilizer, Grass Seed, Salt and Sand, Year-Round Use, Large Grip Handle with 3 Openings for Pellets and Particles

$9.994.5
View on Amazon
Mountain Valley Seed Co No-Till Winter Rye Seeds - 5 Lbs - Non-GMO | Non-GMO Cover crop, not lawn grass. Cold-hardy, heirloom Fall or spring sow.

Mountain Valley Seed Co No-Till Winter Rye Seeds - 5 Lbs - Non-GMO | Non-GMO Cover crop, not lawn grass. Cold-hardy, heirloom Fall or spring sow.

$19.294.2
View on Amazon

Mountain Valley Seed Co No-Till Garden Farm and Garden Cover Crop Mix Seeds | 5 Lbs - Blend of Gardening Cover Crop Seeds: Hairy Vetch, Daikon Radish, Forage Collards, Triticale, More

$31.414.6
View on Amazon
No-Till Cover Crop 13-Seed Mix (½-lb): [50% Clovers Plus Fenugreek, Vetch, Flax, Cowpeas, Buckwheat, Forage Peas, Millet, Lentils, Crimson Clover, Sweet Yellow Clover, White Clover, Medium Red Clover]

No-Till Cover Crop 13-Seed Mix (½-lb): [50% Clovers Plus Fenugreek, Vetch, Flax, Cowpeas, Buckwheat, Forage Peas, Millet, Lentils, Crimson Clover, Sweet Yellow Clover, White Clover, Medium Red Clover]

$11.994.3
View on Amazon
Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader - for Grass Seed, Lawn Fertilizers, Salt, and Ice Melt, Handheld Spreader Holds up to 1,500 sq. ft. of Product

Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader - for Grass Seed, Lawn Fertilizers, Salt, and Ice Melt, Handheld Spreader Holds up to 1,500 sq. ft. of Product

$24.994.7
View on Amazon
Chapin 8740A: 64-Ounce Black Poly Hand Shaker Spreader for Turf, Fertilizer, Grass Seed, Salt and Sand, Year-Round Use, Large Grip Handle with 3 Openings for Pellets and Particles

Chapin 8740A: 64-Ounce Black Poly Hand Shaker Spreader for Turf, Fertilizer, Grass Seed, Salt and Sand, Year-Round Use, Large Grip Handle with 3 Openings for Pellets and Particles

$9.994.5
View on Amazon
Mountain Valley Seed Co No-Till Winter Rye Seeds - 5 Lbs - Non-GMO | Non-GMO Cover crop, not lawn grass. Cold-hardy, heirloom Fall or spring sow.

Mountain Valley Seed Co No-Till Winter Rye Seeds - 5 Lbs - Non-GMO | Non-GMO Cover crop, not lawn grass. Cold-hardy, heirloom Fall or spring sow.

$19.294.2
View on Amazon

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Price as of Jun 27, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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Example Calculations

1Crimson Clover (1,000 sq ft)

Inputs

Cover CropCrimson Clover
Area1,000 sq ft

Result

Seed Needed0.5 lbs
Seed Cost$2.25
N Fixed2.3 lbs
Fertilizer Savings$1.84

Crimson clover at 0.5 lb/1000sqft costs just $2.25 in seed and fixes about 2.3 lbs of nitrogen, saving roughly $1.84 in fertilizer.

2Winter Rye (5,000 sq ft)

Inputs

Cover CropWinter Rye
Area5,000 sq ft

Result

Seed Needed12.5 lbs
Seed Cost$15.00
N Fixed0 lbs (grass)
BenefitErosion control + organic matter

Winter rye needs more seed (2.5 lb/1000sqft) but at $1.20/lb it is still affordable. It overwinters and provides excellent weed suppression.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How much cover crop seed do I need?

Seeding rates vary by species. Crimson clover needs 0.5 lbs per 1,000 sq ft, winter rye needs 2.5 lbs, and buckwheat needs 1.5 lbs. A typical 1,000 sq ft garden bed costs $1-$5 in seed depending on species.

  • Crimson clover: 0.5 lb per 1,000 sq ft ($2.25)
  • Winter rye: 2.5 lb per 1,000 sq ft ($3.00)
  • Buckwheat: 1.5 lb per 1,000 sq ft ($3.00)
  • Hairy vetch: 0.75 lb per 1,000 sq ft ($3.75)
  • White clover: 0.25 lb per 1,000 sq ft ($2.50)
CropRate/1000sqftCost/1000sqft
Crimson Clover0.5 lb$2.25
Winter Rye2.5 lb$3.00
Buckwheat1.5 lb$3.00
Oats2.0 lb$1.60
Q

Which cover crop fixes the most nitrogen?

Hairy vetch fixes the most nitrogen at 120 lbs per acre, followed by white clover at 130 lbs per acre (permanent), red clover at 110 lbs, and crimson clover at 100 lbs. Non-legume crops like rye and oats fix zero nitrogen but provide other benefits.

  • White clover: 130 lb N/acre (living mulch, permanent)
  • Hairy vetch: 120 lb N/acre (annual, best single-season fixer)
  • Red clover: 110 lb N/acre (biennial)
  • Crimson clover: 100 lb N/acre (annual)
  • Field peas: 80 lb N/acre (quick, spring option)
LegumeN Fixed/AcreFertilizer Equiv. (10-10-10)
White Clover130 lb26 bags
Hairy Vetch120 lb24 bags
Red Clover110 lb22 bags
Crimson Clover100 lb20 bags
Q

What is the difference between winterkill and overwintering cover crops?

Winterkill crops (buckwheat, oats, daikon radish, field peas) die in freezing temperatures and form a no-till mulch mat. Overwintering crops (winter rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch) survive winter and resume growing in spring, requiring mowing or tilling before your garden planting.

  • Winterkill: dies in cold, forms mulch mat, no spring termination needed
  • Overwinter: survives, grows in spring, must be mowed/tilled 2–4 weeks before planting
  • Winterkill best for: no-till gardens, late-planted spring crops
  • Overwinter best for: maximum biomass, nitrogen fixation, weed suppression
  • Both improve soil structure and organic matter
BehaviorProsCons
WinterkillNo spring work, no-till readyLess biomass, no spring growth
OverwinterMore biomass, better N fixationMust terminate before planting
Q

When should I plant a cover crop?

Plant fall cover crops 4-6 weeks before your first expected frost. Spring cover crops go in as soon as soil can be worked. Summer crops like buckwheat can fill gaps between harvests for a quick 35-day cover.

  • Fall planting (Aug–Oct): winter rye, crimson clover, hairy vetch, daikon
  • Spring planting (Mar–May): oats, field peas, buckwheat, white clover
  • Summer filler (Jun–Aug): buckwheat (only 35 days to termination)
  • Terminate overwinter crops 2–4 weeks before garden planting
  • Inoculate legume seeds with rhizobium for best N fixation
SeasonBest CropsDays to Terminate
FallWinter rye, crimson clover150–180
SpringOats, field peas60
SummerBuckwheat35

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Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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