Oats Grow Guide

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Soil

Any average, well-drained soil.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Oats are a cool-weather crop that can tolerate light frosts but is usually killed by temperatures below 5F (-15C).

Feeding

None generally needed, especially when oats are grown with nitrogen-fixing cover crops such as winter peas, winter beans or hairy vetch.

Spacing

Single Plants: 4" (10cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 4" (10cm) with 4" (10cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow in late summer to grow a cover crop that forms its own mulch when it is winterkilled, or when using oats as a companion crop for slower-growing legumes. Oats also can be grown as a spring cover crop to increase soil organic matter. Broadcast seed into raked soil so that the seeds are about 3 inches (7 cm) apart and one-half inch (1 cm) deep. No thinning is required. Increase spacing to 8 inches (20cm) apart when growing oats with other cover crops. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Oats are an ideal late summer cover crop where winters are cold enough to kill it; the dead residue forms its own winter mulch, which is usually well rotted by spring.

Harvesting

Young oats can be turned under or pulled up and composted anytime. In mild winter climates, oats should be mowed and composted before seedheads appear in late spring.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Oats

Aphids on a pea plant

Aphids (General)

Slug

Slug

Snails leave a trail of slime behind them

Snail

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