Green Manure

Green manure refers to crops that are grown specifically to be dug back into the soil to add nutrients back into the soil. I use green manure to replenish soils that have had heavy demands on them after harvesting crops such as brassicas or sweet corn. What to Plant for a Green Manure Crop Green manure mixes that contain legumes (like peas and beans) will fix nitrogen. Mustard plants are excellent soil fumigators! They can help to prevent diseases like root-knot nematode and fungal pathogens. I regularly plant beds with broad beans before travelling away from my garden in the winter. I dig them in prior to flowering when I return. Planting a Green Manure Crop 1. Loosen the soil with a fork to break up any clods 2. Spread the green manure seed generously to get a thick coverage on the bed 3. Rake in to cover seed or dust over with compost to discourage birds from eating it 4. Water in the well 5. In around 6 week's time, the crop should be ready to be cut down and dug in Make sure you cut down green manure crop before it starts flowering or it will start using nutrients from the soil. About a week after digging in the green manure crop, dig it in a second time . The soil should be ready to plant your next crop aabout two weeks after yoiur second digging.