green manure

[Lizzie]

It's highly likely there's been a lot about green manures already, but the search function's disabled, so I thought I'd ask direct. I've got a relatively weedy plot, and was wondering if there was a benefit in sowing a green manure over all the bits I'll not  be using over the next few months and leaving it to do its work in the hope it'll overcome the existing weeds. Any use, or is it wishful thinking?

And also, any tips as to which is the best variety to use? My soil is very free-draining.

Thanks,

Lizzie

[Lizzie]

[lancelotment]

Lizzie, I wouldn't put too much hope in a green manure keeping perennial weeds down.  It may give some competition to annuals but we are nearing the end of the summer season and their numbers may be diminishing anyway by the time your green manure is up to any size.  I've got some seeds on order from Tuckers for a green patch this year but it will be going in to ground that is already cleared.  Which one you use may depend on what's going into that land next year.  Mustard is suggested in advance of spuds (eelworm deterant) while others like clover are good for fixing nitrogen (like peas) so would fit in with your rotation plan there.  Lance

[Robert_Brenchley]

For one plant to crowd out another it has to be more of a thug than its victim. If you want to plant something worse than bindweed or couch grass, keep it well away from me!

[saddad]

Japanese Knotweed Rob, only joking... and I know it is not funny...
Back on green manures I use Tares and Hungarian Rye grass. Have used Phacalia but liked the flowers too much to want to turn it in!
;D

[Merry Tiller]

If you have an Asian supermarket near where you live get a bag of fenugreek seeds, you get a huge quantity for less than a couple of quid, it's a good nitrogen fixer

[Curryandchips]

it's a good nitrogen fixer

Just to prove you can't believe everything you read on the net, I did a google on fenugreek and nitrogen. One site says it does fix, another says it doesn't ... At least I do know it works as a green manure.

[Merry Tiller]

All legumes fix nitrogen