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Barley
Grass

Image Source: 1

Image Source: 2
Estimated Cost
$0.27
($/lb)
Planting Window
Fall seeded, spring seeded
Best for
Erosion control
Alternate Species
Annual Rye, Winter Oats, Wheat, Triticale
1. Tom Lawler 2021, Indigo Agriculture.
2. © UVM Extension NW Crops & Soils Program 2020, CC-BY-ND-4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/> via https://covercrop.tools/images/Cover%20Crop%20Photos/Barley,%20Spring/Barley_flowering_Brouillette_2020.jpg
Seeding Detail
Barley
68.0
101.0
81.0
Additional Information
Why We Recommend This
Barley can be grown almost anywhere in the United States and can help rehabilitate weedy, eroded or depleted fields. It produces biomass faster than any other grass cover crop, outcompetes weeds, reduces erosion, scavenges N, P, and K, and can suppress pests like leafhoppers, aphids, armyworms and nematodes. Barley is well suited for no-till and can tolerate drought.
Things to Watch Out For
Barley does not do well in waterlogged soils and does not overwinter as consistently as other grasses
Neither Indigo nor any of its affiliates makes any representations, warranties or guarantees as to any specific results or outcomes, including, without limitation, with respect to soil health outcomes or any minimum amount of greenhouse gasses sequestered or number of carbon credits generated. Participation in Carbon by Indigo is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the program contained in the applicable enrollment agreement. Any payments under Carbon by Indigo are subject to multi-year vesting and are contingent on continued long-term maintenance of regenerative agricultural practices and soil carbon levels. All Carbon Credits generated are subject to buffer pool holdbacks required by third-party crediting; participants will not receive payments for such holdback. Not available in all areas.
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