catch crop

American  

noun

1. a crop that reaches maturity in a relatively short time, often planted as a substitute for a crop that has failed or at a time when the ground would ordinarily lie fallow, as between the plantings of two staple crops.

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catch crop British  

noun

1. a quick-growing crop planted between two regular crops grown in consecutive seasons, or between two rows of regular crops in the same season

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Other Word Forms

• catch cropping noun

Etymology

Origin of catch crop

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Catch crops Planting a quick-to-mature crop between rows, or interspersed with plantings that take longer to grow, is another twist on succession planting, called a catch crop.

From Seattle Times

In this connection it is perhaps well to state that in Java robusta coffee is very frequently planted as a “catch crop” in the Hevea rubber plantations.

From Project Gutenberg

On some plantations it has become the practise to grow catch crops between the rows of coffee trees, both as a means of obtaining additional revenue and to shade the young coffee plants.

From Project Gutenberg

The name "catch crop" has been applied to such a crop.

From Project Gutenberg

Oats.—When a fall growth is wanted for the soil, and it is preferred that the plants be dead in the spring, oats make a good catch crop.

From Project Gutenberg