[rubyrose]

hi who has sandy soil and have previously used green manure i am tempted to not order a load of manure this year and to green manure plot and add own made compost as it has been said this should cover all nutrients.
would like to read anyones views on this please 

[Lardman]

I've been using it here (in my sandbox) for a few seasons now and given the choice Id snatch someone hand off if they offered to dump a few tonnes of black gold on the patch.

I've seen very little in the way of improvement to the soil structure at all, I can't measure the nutrient levels so can't comment. Given enough time I suppose it will eventually help but I couldn't help but shout at Monty on Friday for his "as good as manured and dug over" remark as it certainly isn't in my experience.

For the record I've tried fenugreek and Phacelia and Im about to sow some winter mix (clovers and mustard).

[Ricey]

The deep rooting green manures condition soil as they grow, Some grab nitrates from the air and have roots that break up soil. I would sugguest you look at the likes of field beans and alfalfa ,,,,,,, http://www.sowseeds.co.uk/green-manure-seeds.html

Raised beds may help if you can get some top soil.
Good luck.

[Salmo]

Nutrients are washed out of light soils by the Winter rains and it is good to sow something like phacelia or mustard in late Summer which cover the ground and take up any free nutrients. When these are dug in they release the nutrients slowly as they rot down. On light soils they should be left and dug in a week or two before sowing crops. Winter tares are an alternative but do not smoother weeds as well.

To improve soil structure you need something with a big root system. Grazing rye or a Winter mix of italian ryegrass and clover. Grazing rye will produce a big root system by early Spring but be prepared to dig it in before it gets too big - it grows at an amazing pace. To get the full benefit of the Winter mix it really needs to be left until late Spring to let the ryegrass grow and the clover fix nitrogen so you really need to look at your cropping plan to see where it fits best.

These are using green manure as catch crop as opportunity arises. If you have plenty of ground you may wish to plan green manure as one part of your rotation and grow green manure crops that are in the ground for a full year.

As for whether you can do without farmyard manure? I use both and as much compost as I can make.

[rubyrose]

thanks for the replys folks now think i will manure and use green manure as well
thanks again