Green manure in a polytunnel?

[kentvegplot]

I usually just cover the earth in the polytunnel over the winter, maybe growing one or two winter salads. I don't want to do that this year, so I wondered...

Has anyone had success growing a green manure in a tunnel over winter? I was thinking of using Hungarian Grazing Rye which, when dug in, will provide an injection of organic matter for the beds.

What do you think?

[Alison]

No reason why you can't but why don't you grow some winter veg as well. I've got a load of spring cabbages and caulis in mine which will be ready before the ones outside and also some chard and a couple of other leafy green things as well as salad leaves.

[kentvegplot]

Alison, it's certainly an idea for another year, but I've left it too late for this season. I found that I didn't fancy salad in the dark days of winter, especially as the tunnel is right at the end of our large garden! But I'll try the green manure once I've cleared the tomatoes etc and see what happens.

[Snadger]

I manure my greenhouse soil by billeting the chooks in there for the winter months!

Green manure is better than nowt. Broad beans could be used as a green manure also and there nitrogen fixating nodules will do a bit of good along with the organic content of the plant once dug in!
You could even let some grow for an early crop!