Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: mobilekat on July 02, 2014, 13:52

Title: green manure
Post by: mobilekat on July 02, 2014, 13:52

Following on from my earlier question about 'rescuing' my ill soil...

I have been looking into green manures to plant now, and was hoping there was a 'dual purpose one' that give some crop- or is great for nature- pretty flowers!

Or what have people tried and found to be the best

Soil is sandy, very well draining, and been under membrane for probably 14 years!

I think Clover sounds promising- nitrogen fixing and flowers too

Or Winter Tares- so it can stay put over the winter?

Suggestions?

Many thanks!

Title: Re: green manure
Post by: ptarmigan on July 02, 2014, 15:06

I'm on heavy clay - so this may or may not be so helpful.  But the one I liked best was Phacelia - beautiful flowers for the bees. It's fairly mild where I am so not all of it died back in the winter. And it was really easy to dig in when it died down. I found clover quite hard to dig in - others may have different experiences.

Title: Re: green manure
Post by: mumofstig on July 02, 2014, 15:19

I'll second Phacelia, and I'm on sandy soil  ;) In a normal winter the top dies back leaving the roots to rot in the soil - no problem with digging it in. Simples  :D

Title: Re: green manure
Post by: MalcW on July 02, 2014, 15:26

I used Phacelia - the bees loved it.

Title: Re: green manure
Post by: mobilekat on July 02, 2014, 16:55

Just looked up Phacelia and my thought was- That looks pretty!!!

I think there will be some being sown this weekend!