Establishment of a successful game cover crop requires the same level of husbandry as any other conventional agricultural crop. Good reseeding practice is vital with a fine and firm seed bed prepared. A pH above 6 should be achieved and any deficiencies should be alleviated. As with any other crop they will require NPK fertiliser with kale an especially hungry crop that will benefit from being properly fed. It is often said that is it easier to grow twenty acres of game crop than two acres. The problem with small areas of game cover is that grazing pests can have a profound effect in a very short space of time. Diligence is required especially in the early stages of growth. Deployment of bangers, kites etc is essential in many areas for components like kale to survive through the vulnerable growth stages. They can all too easily be wiped out. Rotation is useful especially with brassicas such as kale, which is susceptible to clubroot and cannot be grown in the same area each year.
The siting of areas for game cover undoubtedly dictate which species of crop will prove successful. For instance, all brassicas dislike wet and compacted ground and should be avoided. Kale is a mainstay of a lot of the mixtures providing good cover and can be combined with smaller seed bearing crops, such as quinoa and linseed to provide a food source.
Fodder Radish (Brassica) - a very fast establishing catch crop which is ideal for Scotland. Seed pods are a useful food source in year one.
Linseed (Flax) - Provides a good food source. It is hardy and easy to grow providing open cover so good for small bird access. Inexpensive and easy to establish between late March and mid May.
Mustard (Brassica) - known mainly as a green manure crop. It is very fast to establish and is fairly pest and disease resistant. Due to its rapid establishment, it is quite often used as a quick fix if an earlier sown crop has failed.
Quinoa (Pseudo-cereal) - best sown end of April to early June and requiring a warm, fertile, compact seed bed. Can be slow to establish. Excellent feed source for wild birds and game birds in year one.
Rape (Brassica) - very fast establishment often within 7-8 weeks. Rape/kale hybrid (Brassica) - can be sown later than kale with rapid establishment. They are more tolerant of less fertile soil and present a cheaper alternative to kale although they are less winter hardy.
Red Clover (Legume) - a deep tap rooted plant which grows to 0.75 metres and will last up to 4 years. The tap root provides wonderful soil conditioning when the crop is eventually ploughed back in.
Triticale (Cereal) - fast and robust to establish. Triticale has good pest and disease resistance.
Yellow blossom clover (Legume) - a biennial which grows a rosette in year one and grows to two metres when it flowers in year two. It produces small seeds which benefits both song birds and game birds and is very complimentary when grown with kale.
