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Wheat and its close relatives are common cover crops in the Northeast. They are winter-hardy and are often found in rotation schedules with vegetable crops to prevent winter soil erosion. These small grains are good for reducing root rot in vegetables. In the spring, wheat, spelt and triticale grow more slowly than rye and are therefore easier to incorporate. Triticale’s primary advantage over wheat and triticale is that it can be sown earlier to produce more fall growth. Spelt’s advantages are that it grows better in low nitrogen soil, is more competitive with weeds in the spring, and heads a week later. In the spring, the decision to take the crop to harvest is an option.

Land preparation

Prepare a firm, weed-free seedbed. Additional fertilizer is not needed.

Seeding rate

If you are accustomed to raising small grains, use half the amount the conditions would usually call for.
Wheat 70 lb/ac.
Spelt 80 lb/ac.
Triticale 80 lb/ac.
For weed suppression, increase rate by 30%.
If broadcasting, increase rate by 30%.
If seeding late, increase by 50 to 100%.

Seeding date

Wheat: Hessian fly-free date (mid-September) to October 1.
Spelt: Hessian fly-free date (mid-September) to October 10.
Triticale: August 25-September 25.
Triticale can be sown before the Hessian fly-free date. Spelt can be sown into October and in cool soil.

Seed Sources

Local farm seed dealer. Use quality seed with high germination and no weed seeds. Triticale: Rupp, Lakeview Organic Grain.

Maintenance

Little required, check for gaps in the cover crop and fill in.

Control

For best growth of the subsequent crop, control when the plants are beginning to regrow, at 6 to 8 inches. Glyphosate is effective once day temperatures exceed 50° F, and tillage works before the crown enlarges. For later control, incorporate after boot stage but before flowering (the window is typically one week occurring between May 20 and June 7).

Tips

When drilling, spelt can plug narrow, bent, or rough drop tubes.
Drill triticale 1 – 1 1/4 inches deep to avoid frost heaving.
If there is a lot of fall growth (10 inches or more), matting is reduced by mowing or grazing to 6 inches.
Winter wheat can be sown in April, for use as a green manure, to be turned under.
Nitrogen tie-up can occur if vegetable crops are planted too soon after incorporation. The best nitrogen value is obtained if the plants are killed before the stems begin to elongate. Early control also makes a better seedbed because the crowns are smaller. Wait 2-3 weeks between incorporation and planting vegetables.
If plans change and the crop is to be harvested, apply a springtime nitrogen topdressing at the G3-5 tillering phase12. Also consider overseeding with clover.