[beth123]

Hi all

I'm thinking of trying some green manure this year to try and improve the clay soil in my veg patch and was wondering if any one has any idea which would be best to use.

Thanks
Beth   

[Trillium]

You'll find this quite helpful:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/fertilizer/green-manures.php

[Pompey Spud]

I use grazing rye mostly.

Great for clay soils as the roots go deep and will help break it up. Overwinters well.

Be prepared to for some hard work to dig in.

[hightide]

Field beans are very good for clay they have long roots, which break up the soil and they are 'Nitrogen fixers'. Don't plant them now though they don't like dry conditions.

[Pompey Spud]

Problems that other plotholders find on our site with field beans is the lack of good coverage and germination rates can be poor.

Winters tares fixes nitrogen will over winter and the coverage is good.

Try a few and find out what's good for you.

[arugula]

We're planting birdsfoot trefoil this year.

[mumofstig]

phacelia soon for me 

[Pompey Spud]

I sowed red clover inbetween my vines last month. It will winter if it isnt too harsh.

Bees love the flowers as well.

(Plus that post got me off 666). :happy:

[arugula]

(Plus that post got me off 666). :happy:

And what about the other two you've made since?

[beth123]

Thats brilliant, thanks a lot everyone.

[Muddylou]

I grew tares and rye grass last winter, I'm growing phacelia in one bed presently. On the other beds I've planted bird food as it's very cheep 

 It contains sunflower seeds, maize grits, red millet, red dari, whole oats, yellow millet and wheat, germinated well and is growing at a pace.

[arugula]

It contains sunflower seeds, maize grits, red millet, red dari, whole oats, yellow millet and wheat, germinated well and is growing at a pace.

Now that's a good idea.  I can only think of one possible drawback, that the birds may get used to foraging in that spot and will eat what you next try to grow there.

[stompy]

I tried green manure once and was put off.

It germinated fine and was dug in but then for the next couple of years it kept coming up as weeds!

Has anyone else had this?

[Carollan]

me and hubby are reading up on this green manure idea.None of your answers have really helped,far too varied.We want something to overwinter and be easy to dig in in the spring.......now,lets have one easy answer ? lol

[Ricey]

me and hubby are reading up on this green manure idea.None of your answers have really helped,far too varied.We want something to overwinter and be easy to dig in in the spring.......now,lets have one easy answer ? lol

The best bet is to research each plant in the green manure range and see what suits you best.
Some will have deep roots (Draws up lots of good stuff from deep) and these will be the hardest to dig in come spring..... If you don't like digging, avoid that range.

Some suppliers will supply a mix of seed that will give you a pretty good cross section of green manure but I personally picked out my own choices.
I found this site helpful ..... http://www.thegrassseedstore.co.uk/100-winter-green-manure-seed-p-198.html

My personal choice would include Alfalfa and Clover which are reportedly easy to dig in.