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GREEN MANURES - LOVE YOUR GARDEN A LITTLE BIT MORE!
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Summer Vetch
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Phacelia - great for bees!
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A green manure is a crop that is grown with the deliberate intention of returning it to the soil. Benefits -
* The nutrient content of the soil is increased – many green manures fix nitrogen
* Bare soil is covered, stopping it losing fertility and structure
* Compacted soil can be broken up and drainage improved
* Weeds can be suppressed
* Organic matter is added to the soil when the green manure is dug in
* Increased biological activity in the soil
* Beneficial insects – especially bees and hover flies- are attracted by the flowers
* Interest is added to the garden by the colourful blooms
* Available for both >Summer< and >Winter< planting
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Where to use
green manures
* On empty beds, whatever the time of year. Good when potatoes or onions come out as the soil is already prepared
* On areas of low fertility
* On areas of poor soil structure
* Between widely spaced plants – eg winter brassicas or sweet corn
* On fallow areas not at present in cultivation
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How to sow
* Prepare a level seed bed, reasonably weed free for best results.
* Scatter seeds on top and lightly rake in.
* Water if weather is dry
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| Green Manures do wonders for
soil structure and can help in
controlling Scab on Potatoes |
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Bees love Clovers and
Phacelia
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Incorporation into the soil
This should be done three to four weeks before you need the soil or
before the plant becomes
too woody, whichever comes sooner.
Don't let the plant become too
tough or fibrous. You can -
* Dig the plant back in using a sharp spade. Aim to bury the
plants between 15/18 cms deep
* If a frost tender manure is used in late summer you can let the
cold weather kill it off. Leave on the soil, no need to dig in
* Annual green manures such as mustard or buckwheat can be hoed
in. Excess foliage can
be composted
* Mulching works well - annuals will take a few weeks to break
down while perennials and
grazing rye will take a bit longer
As green manure foliage decomposes it releases
compounds that can inhibit germination. This is especially true of
grazing rye It is therefore not advisable to sow seeds immediately
after digging in a green manure. Transplants and large seeded crops are
not effected.
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