Planting a winter cover crop is the most effective method of providing a cover to early harvested potato fields. Many farmers are timing both their planting and their harvest of crops and are studying which varieties allow for a better winter cover. The earlier a cover crop is established, the greater its erosion control benefits will be. Some farmers are also experimenting with early maturing varieties of potatoes to be grown on the fields which are at greatest risk of erosion. Photo: Winter Wheat Fall rye and winter wheat are excellent choices for cover crops following a potato harvest. In addition to providing a good cover, both produce a cereal grain the following year. Cover crops can be established by three techniques; preparing a seedbed and drilling in the cover crop immediately after potato harvest, broadcast seeding followed by a cultivation pass that levels the soil surface or broadcast two to five days seeding before potato harvest and performing no tillage Cover crops control erosion by reducing the impact of raindrops and slowing the surface flow of water, thus reducing erosion and increasing the soil's ability to absorb water. The roots hold soil in place, add organic matter and improve soil structure. Legume crops may provide nitrogen for the next crop as well. While there are extra labour requirements the extra costs are more than covered by the reduced nutrient losses. Photo: Spreading Mulch Up to seventy percent of the potato harvest on the Island occurs in October which is too late for the establishment of cover crops. In these cases, mulching has proven to be a good alternative to a well established cover crop. Mulch consists of chopped straw or hay, spread evenly over a recently harvested field. Field tests have shown that erosion rates can be as much as forty times lower on mulched versus bare fields. However, mulch will not protect areas prone to gully erosion. Mulching has proven to be an effective soil conservation practice, reducing both wind and water erosion during the winter period. Mulch can be applied as an effective erosion control process much later in the season.

Some photos and technical information courtesy of the P.E.I. Department of Agriculture and Forestry