Green manures - can you help?

[dexterdoglancashire]

What do you recommend Nick? do I have to consider the crop rotation? many thanks! DDL

[nick the grief]

If you growsomething like mustard or field beans you do as they are Brassica's & legumes respectivley. Depends what you want it to do I guess DDL. I don't grow a lot of them as I've got mount everest in poo to get thru!!! (It's a long story)

Mr Don swears by Hungarian grazing rye other people swear at it! But it is hardy. & the roots will break the soil up & the tops will rot down into the soil when you cut it of.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Thanks for that Nick. I've read through the article in GYO but was still a bit confused. I understand now! Thought it was worth a go over the winter, just to see. I can understand how/why - it makes sense if it helps the soil rather than just let it sit there. Thanks! DDL

[GeordieVik]

Excellent article in November's GYO - thanks! Question: living up here in't North (Lancashire) would I be able to grow phacelia tanacetifolia? or would it be too cold? Thanks! DDL PS if its ok can anyone recommend a supplier?

Hi DDL, I bought some Phacelia from http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/, they sell wild flower mixes, veg & other green manures. Have only used them once, but service was good.

Vik

[Earthbabe]

be OK in the sumer DDT ........

Interesting slip of the keyboard there NTG. But then we all knew our DDL was a dynamite member.

[Birdie Wife]

I would imagine the brassicas will do really well mixed with the clover (i want to do this too - where did you get your seed from?), the covering of green will help reduce cabbage root fly attack and smother weeds plus of course boosting the nitrogen content of the soil for the next crop

That's great Protea, thanks for the very helpful advice and comment. I got my clover seed from Nicky's Nursery http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/.
I haven't used them before though I'm sure there's many Grapes that have, but I've found reliable and professional so far.

[dexterdoglancashire]

well spotted earthbabe! even I didn't notice that! must get my eyes tested!................. DDL or is it DDT?!

[Protea]

That's great Protea, thanks for the very helpful advice and comment. I got my clover seed from Nicky's Nursery http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/.
I haven't used them before though I'm sure there's many Grapes that have, but I've found reliable and professional so far.

Excellent - I'll try Nicky's then!

Just opened my copy of GYO that arrived this morning and i'm in print on the green manure article - how exciting!! Off to photocopy it to send to my Dad - how proud he'll be

[Lesley Jay]

Well done Protea and Veggiemo!!

[entrailer]

I would imagine the brassicas will do really well mixed with the clover (i want to do this too - where did you get your seed from?), the covering of green will help reduce cabbage root fly attack and smother weeds plus of course boosting the nitrogen content of the soil for the next crop.

I recommend Cotswold Seeds, they are by far the cheapest, however you will have to find �8 for delivery but if you get together with some folk and spend �50 there is no delivery.
For example, 1Kg mustard var. "Zlata", costs �1.50.
Yellow Trefoil, �3.90.

Also Edwin Tuckers have good prices and delivery is relative to weight. However remember to buy by the kilo, much cheaper, always better too much seed than too little.

Cheers,
N*

[entrailer]

Phacelia

Excellent article in November's GYO - thanks! Question: living up here in't North (Lancashire) would I be able to grow phacelia tanacetifolia? or would it be too cold? Thanks! DDL PS if its ok can anyone recommend a supplier?

We have large patches of Phacelia, sown last month.
Showing no signs of frost damage so far, here in West Yorks, however we are quite sheltered.
Cotswolds list them as a winter green manure. They are also doing OK against the nettle, and, if they are winter hardy they'll be up before the nettle next year.
I wonder how it will do against couch?

N*

[Birdie Wife]

I thought I might resurrect this thread because this year, I have Phacelia to try as a green manure. THe clover didn't germinate! I think I might have sown it too late. I'm going to try sowing Phacelia stright after lifting my onions this year, probably mid-August, to try and get some green cover but no flowers until next spring. I don't know if it's hardy in my area, anyone up here tried it?

[tootles]

I used clover last year - it is still coming up as a weed in my veg beds!!!!!!!
I am very keen on SBP's thread about lupins though this year....