Winter barley is also available, but is only slightly more winter hardy than spring barley. Triticale grows similarly to cereal rye but produces more vegetation. It is a leafier plant than rye and may decompose more easily when turned under. Triticale seed is often hard to find locally, but it is available through some seed catalogs. Expect to pay a higher price for triticale seed at this time.
Annual ryegrass is a turfgrass rather than a cereal grass.
It has a vigorous root system that makes it hard to till under once it is established. It regrows readily after mowing. Annual ryegrass also can persist like a perennial, making it a potential weed when used as a winter cover crop. Some gardeners use annual ryegrass as a companion crop for crimson clover. The most important benefit of legumes is their ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into the plant.