In a [reduced] tillage system the soil is not disturbed and the cover crop seed can be broadcast seeded by hand with a cycloned-type seeder into standing vegetation or bare soil.  This seeding method is often used when competition from an existing crop or from weeds will be low, giving the cover crop time to establish.  The fall and late inter are good times for [reduced] tillage seeding.  Later winter seedings, or “frost seedings,” are where the seed is in place for quick germination as soon as the weather warms up.  This puts the newly developing plant ahead of most weeds.