saracook31 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Could anyone tell me what plants are good for green manure? Want to get some in but don't know where to start! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 you can buy a packet of seeds called "green manure" we got ours from Thompson and Morgan this one Kev says that clover is good hope this helps cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 There are loads of different types for different times of year. It would be best to find a stockist and read the blurb on the packets. We have used clover rye grass and lupin to name but a few. we have let them grow about 6 inches high then rotavated them into the ground before they have flowered. They are a good idea if you have a light soil to help hold it together and keep in the nutrients. the nutrients can leach out in wet weather if there is nothing growing on the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 There's buckwheat - which is good at anytime - it will fill in a gap until you are ready - dig it in a while before planting so that the decomposing settles down and won't damage new roots. Hungarian grazing rye is good for overwintering. Chop it down when you are ready, let it die down before digging it well in including the rooting system. Phacelia is brilliant for bees and can be another stop gap. I underplant the peas beans and sweetcorn with red clover - it doesn't compete and compliments the others, ready to dig in at the end of the season. http://www.organiccatalogue.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_51&osCsid=8848b00f3ec2d74ecb07de0d9a4627bd Be careful with the leguminous ones they have to go with the crop rotation. Same with the mustard - that would go with the brassicas. I still have to practice lots of things with regard to this - just mastered the clover. Oh well, never mind. Hope it all goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 i think some one on our allotments has a bed of comfrey for that purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 With comfrey you can either cut the leaves and pop in a bin to rot down - the resulting liquid can be drained out and then it is ready to use as a liquid feed - needs to be diluted first though. It can be a bit pongy, but it has just about all the trace elements that plants need. I use it along with some seaweed/tomato feed - 2 weeks of comfrey followed by one week of the special ones. You can also use the leaves as a mulch. Don't whatever you do plant it in the beds where you want to grow your food - it gets a huge tap root and is very difficult to get rid of - and little pieces of root can also start growing - bit like ground elder, couch and bindweed there. I have my comfrey growing along a shady fence and down the side of the greenhouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
