Green Manure

[sarahr]

I'm thinking of growing some green manure as I'm not using half the allotment and I don't want it to get over run with weeds. Any tips of what to use or what not to use? Is it actually worth using green manure?

[sarahr]

[allotment_chick]

Hi
Green manures are definitely worth growing - what you grow depends on how much puff you have!

I grow buckwheat because the frost cuts it back and I don't have to dig it in.  Phacelia is also good with pretty flowers beloved by bees.  Grazing rye, which is the one that is usually recommended for overwinter, is bloomin' hard work!  It takes a lot of effort to dig that one in....

Here are my favourite green manure references:
http://www.hdra.org.uk/organicgardening/grn_mans.htm
http://www.btinternet.com/~bury_rd/green.htm
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0802/green_manure.asp

I'm sure others can help .. Gavin is a bit of a whizz on green manures, I think!
AC

[derbex]

Sarah you may want one of the longer lasting types -like alfalfa if you're not going to use the space until next year.

Jeremy

[mellie]

Whatever you put in dont plant comfrey!!
The person who had my plot before me filled half the plot with the stuff and now I cant get rid of it.. >:( >:(
The roots go down about 2' and if you dont get all the root out it will grow back. Even if you only leave a tiny bit in it will come back >:(

[Ceri]

I'm trying this with agricultural lupins (from organic gardening catalogue) as I clear each bit of the plot that I'm not going to use (haven't quite got successional cropping fully spot on yet!) I'm sowing a couple of rows of lupins - as a first season grower I was woefully short of compost so want to use lupins to boost the fresh matter.

[allotment_chick]

Hi Mellie - comfrey isn't a green manure, so I'd agree with you there!

I know it is occupying a lot of gound, but I hope you will find a use for a row or two of it - the leaves are a fab mulch for any plant grown for fruit (toms, beans, etc) and fantastic to add when earthing up spuds.  I use it all summer

It is an absolute bug*er to move once it is in and if it isn't variety bocking 14, is likely to set seed too.  If you feel it is beating you, I'd honestly suggest you consider using roundup.
AC

[TrailRat]

Comfrey is also an ideal herbal remedy for a lot of things. Crush fresh leaves and add to a wet poultice for things like bruises, cuts and burns. Add a few crushed leaves to a bath to help sooth out those aches and pains or again add to a poultice and apply straight to where the aches are. Also useful if you get stung or bitten while toiling on your slice of England. But rember not to be taken internally. Very unwise.

TrailRat