Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Any avid 'green manure' peeps about

Collapse

X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Any avid 'green manure' peeps about

    Just trying to see if anyone tends to use green manures in a big way and see what tips peeps have (good and bad). How often do you use green manures? what works best? do you still mulch? etc. etc.

    I get the reasons why and the principles (of plant, chop and dig in) but I have never used green manure and I am a mulch with card and poo person so this is a big thing for me. Sorry if it seems daft.

    Thanks as always
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Avid, no. Trying, yes!

    I have one bed with Sept-sown phacelia & green clover which has overwintered nicely despite the frosts. I tried winter mix last year and it was an absolute s*d to dig in. Just wouldn't die. The squashes in that bed did do really well though so perhaps it was worth it.

    I'm hoping, as ever, to be more organised this year.
    http://mudandgluts.com - growing fruit and veg in suburbia

    Comment

    • #3
      Yep I tend to have a go when I can see Alans Allotment: Sunday 8th December 2013 - Cuts the Mustard and Alans Allotment: Mustard Green Manure & The Container Goes
      Last edited by Cadalot; 02-03-2017, 01:12 PM.
      sigpic
      . .......Man Vs Slug
      Click Here for my Diary and Blog
      Nutters Club Member

      Comment

      • #4
        I've tried various sorts of green manure for a number of years without much success.

        I tried Forage Peas this year but had very sparse germination.

        The best solution I've found is to sow broad beans (in October/November). Then you have a choice either to let them grow and get a crop or chop them in as a mulch.

        Comment

        • #5
          Glad to hear phacelia made it through winter. Going through everything - that, field beans and alfafa seem to be the better options for me. Although I have found someone using poached egg flowers so I may combine companion plants, ground cover plants into the grand scheme.

          Incase I don't make sense anywhere, I am intending this to be for the cut flower paddock.

          Last edited by Norfolkgrey; 02-03-2017, 04:10 PM.

          Comment

          • #6
            Bob Flowerdew always recommends poached egg plant as a green manure.
            He-Pep!

            Comment

            • #7
              One of the big advantages of Green manure is keeping the micorrhizae alive and healthy during periods when the soil is otherwise unused or fallow. If you are generally a mulch and no dig type of person then this part of the cycle gives the next crop a head start. Therefore when you chop n' drop you can throw some other mulch down to surpress the green manure and plant the next crop straight through the mulch, the new crop benefitting from attachement to the existing micorrhizae hyphae and having instant access to the web of nutrients gathered.
              If you dig in the green manure you retain some of that benefit but the Hyphae are disrupted and need to re-establish themselves over time.

              For the record I am dabbling a little more each year and learning by that process. I recommend the youtoob chanel of Mark at 'Iamorganicgardening' who has great in depth knowledge and a wonderful way of demonstration the principle benefits of living roots and much more.

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by Norfolkgrey View Post
                Glad to hear phacelia made it through winter. Going through everything - that, field beans and alfafa seem to be the better options for me. Although I have found someone using poached egg flowers so I may combine companion plants, ground cover plants into the grand scheme.

                Incase I don't make sense anywhere, I am intending this to be for the cut flower paddock.

                The Phacelia sown at the end of Sept made it through as little plants. The ones sown at the beginning of Sept were big plants come winter (later frosts where I am dahhn sahhff) and copped it when it got very frosty.

                Cut flower PADDOCK? Cripes! No wonder you can have so many vases...
                http://mudandgluts.com - growing fruit and veg in suburbia

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by sparrow100 View Post
                  . Cut flower PADDOCK? Cripes! No wonder you can have so many vases
                  I haven't done it yet. I am planning on becoming a flower farmer/ florist next year so this year is prep work in everyway possible It is only a little paddock as well does that help (the one with pig styes)

                  Comment

                  Previous template Next

                  Latest Topics

                  Collapse
                  View All

                  Recent Blog Posts

                  Collapse
                  View All
                  Working...
                  X