Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Lisbon67 on July 31, 2012, 08:19

Title: which green manure?
Post by: Lisbon67 on July 31, 2012, 08:19

I've read numerous articles about green manure, but am still struggling to understand which one would be best for my plot. I'm looking to sow in late August/September, and my main objective is to boost the organic content in the soil - it's struggled to retain moisture even in the few dry spells we've had this year, and I'm guessing the rain's leached out many nutrients.

I'll be aiming to dig it in in the winter or spring to plant spuds in one bed, and peas and brassicas in the other.

Would mustard be my best bet, or should I be looking at two different types for crop rotation reasons?
Finally, if I do it right, will this do instead of animal manure?

Title: Re: which green manure?
Post by: waddecar on July 31, 2012, 10:20

Try this http://tuckers-seeds.com/image/data/information/Green%20Manure%20Sowing%20and%20UtilisationGuide2011.pdf

In the past i have over wintered Italian rye and field beans, but a wet early spring can make digging in problematical. However i would still incorporate compost. Animal manures- yes if they are well rotted.

Brian

Title: Re: which green manure?
Post by: Kirpi on August 01, 2012, 23:52

for my twopenneth - I sow alfalfa and winter tares as they are easier to smother with home made compost in the springtime and it all rots down together.

I don't use animal manure or dig my plots and I am happy with my produce.

That's not to say that animal manure would not improve things; just a personal choice.

Title: Re: which green manure?
Post by: mumofstig on August 02, 2012, 10:25

the OP asked about green manure, not animal manure, anyway ;)

Title: Re: which green manure?
Post by: Kirpi on August 02, 2012, 11:52

Quote

Finally, if I do it right, will this do instead of animal manure?

   ;)

Title: Re: which green manure?
Post by: Cake Lady on August 02, 2012, 12:06

I've been wondering similar things.  It's my first year of allotmenting so i'm still working things out, but anyway  I've just sown some mustard on a bed that i wont use now til i plant spuds next year. My general research (google) revealed it was good before potatoes as it helps eliminate some pests - eelworms or something.  I intend to add animal manure later on as it apparently doesn't overwinter well and my soil doesn't seem to be amazingly rich in nutrients.  Whether this is overkill or not, i don't know - time may tell!

For the other bed i'd like to use green manure on, i intend to plant brassicas next year so i've decided not to use the mustard as i believe it can increase the chances of getting clubroot - but again it's not something i'm sure about.  I'm sowing dwarf french beans as i have loads of cheapies from lidl's and my beans haven't been doing so well this year - whether i get a crop off these or whether i should if its a green manure i don't know! :unsure:

Not sure if this helps much, but just my twopenneth! :)

Title: Re: which green manure?
Post by: Cake Lady on August 02, 2012, 12:15

Think i meant wireworms not eelworms - lol  :blink: