Catch-crop
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.
Historical Examples
Moreover a number of weeds are buried with the catch-crop before they have time to blossom and to shed their seed.
Wildflowers of the Farm Arthur Owens Cooke
Sometimes the grape itself is planted as a catch-crop in the vineyard.
Manual of American Grape-Growing U. P. Hedrick
A catch-crop grown between the rows of pears is a profitable adjunct to the pear-orchard for the first four or five years.
The Pears of New York U. P. Hedrick
A catch-crop is one grown between the rows of another crop for profit from the produce.
Manual of American Grape-Growing U. P. Hedrick
noun
a quick-growing crop planted between two regular crops grown in consecutive seasons, or between two rows of regular crops in the same season
Read Also:
- Catch-dog
a dog used to help round up livestock. noun phrase A scapegoat: We are the catch dogs for everyone who comes along looking for something to kick at [1980s+; evolved fr Southern dialect catch dog, ”dog used to round up animals, herd dog,” perhaps because the herded animals would kick at the dogs]
- Catch in the act
see under catch red-handed
- Catchline
a word, phrase, or sentence used, especially in advertising or journalism, to arouse or call attention. a line in which a catchword appears. a line of lesser importance, set shorter or sometimes in smaller type than the lines above and beneath it. Theater. a line of comic dialogue expected to elicit laughter. slug1 (def 10a).
- Catch napping
Surprise, take unawares. This term is often used in the passive, as in The United States was really caught napping the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor . It originated in the mid-1500s as to be taken napping also see under: off guard Historical Examples But he was one of those wary old watch-dogs who […]
- Catch off guard
see under off guard