A fast-growing plant, shrub, or tree established specifically to protect a more delicate main crop from harsh sun, wind, or frost. The nurse plant provides a sheltered microclimate while the primary crop establishes its root system. Once the main crop is robust enough, the nurse plant is often pruned back or removed entirely.
Heard on the job
We seeded oats as a nurse crop to keep the weeds down and shade the alfalfa seedlings.
Also heard as
- nurse crop
- nurse tree