Sustainable Conservation and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), along with UC ANR and other partners, have released a new guidance document Cover Cropping in California’s Water Scarce Environments to help growers harness the many benefits of cool-season cover crops while reducing water use. As farmers adapt to a changing water supply, this guide provides practical considerations about cover crop species, timing, and management to reduce runoff, increase infiltration and water retention, and bolster overall soil health.
This guidance is part of ongoing collaborative efforts across the agricultural, research, and conservation communities to help California growers meet the challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity. It builds on findings from the 2024 Cover Cropping in the SGMA Era report, which connects the importance of effectively integrating water-smart, multi-benefit practices with groundwater sustainability planning.
Collaborators emphasize that with strategic species selection and management, cover crops can use similar or even less water than bare soil, while delivering significant water-related benefits such as:
- Improved water infiltration and percolation
- Enhanced soil water-holding capacity
- Reduced runoff and soil erosion
- Lower surface temperatures and evaporative loss
Even in water-scarce environments, the water tradeoffs of cover crops such as improved winter soil moisture and reduced nitrate leaching can be worth the small investment in water.
Water-Wise Tools for Growers
The guidance includes management considerations throughout the winter cover crop season, including a drought-tolerant species selection guide, planting and establishment tips, strategic termination timing, residue management, and holistic soil health considerations for compounded benefits.
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