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Is it too late to sow green manure?

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  • #1

    Is it too late to sow green manure?

    Morning all,

    I was just wondering, considering the cold weather we are now having if it is too late to sow a green manure?

    Many thanks,

    Samuel
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  • #2
    Most seeds need at least 10 degrees to germinate. Are your weeds still growing? That might give you an idea of whether the seeds are likely to germinate. The soil will still be quite warm, have you a soil thermometer to check? If you are willing to risk the seed it will either do one of two things - grow or not grow! Is this for an allotment or garden. Covering the area with fleece might improve your chances. It's not just the temperature you need to consider, it's light levels as well. If your site is shady it will struggle now. What are you planning on sowing?

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    • #3
      I've sowed hardy ones in November before and they've grown but I didn't mean to leave it that late and it wouldn't work every year. Which variety are you thinking of?

      Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

      Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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      • #4
        I've just ordered field beans and forage pea which the pack says can be sown up to November so going to give those a try


        Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum
        Last edited by Mumbles; 12-10-2014, 09:08 AM.

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        • #5
          Does anyone have a view on using maize as a green manure? Driving past a field of it yesterday, seeing how closely planted it is, how tall it grows and the sheer amount of 'biomass' produced, I began to wonder about growing it as a mulch material.

          Obviously it could only be grown as a summer 'green manure', but my idea would be to shred it in the autumn to put over the beds, in a rotation that would leave that bed for the following year.

          In theory I could 'emasculate' the plants by cutting off the tassels to prevent them messing up my sweetcorn crop, and the large roots would help break up heavy clay soil.

          I've never read of this being done, so is there an obvious flaw anyone can see (other than taking a bed out of use for that season to grow it)? I know maize takes a lot out of the soil but if it is all going back again, would that matter?

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          • #6
            Originally posted by BertieFox View Post
            In theory I could 'emasculate' the plants by cutting off the tassels to prevent them messing up my sweetcorn crop
            That definitely works, I've done that with Mini Corn to stop it cross-pollinating my regular sweetcorn plants.
            K's Garden blog the story of the creation of our garden

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