Green manure

[caroline7758]

I sowed some mustard and phacelia (separately) in late Sep/early Oct mainly as a first try at green manure. Both have grown well. I will need the beds soon, but I'm not sure whether I should dig them in just before planting (probably onions & potatoes) or dig them in now so that there's time for the green manure to rot down a bit first. What would you do?

[caroline7758]

[adrianhumph]

 Hi Caroline,
                  I would strim or shear them off now, wait a week or two for them to wilt a bit, then dig them in.
                                           Adrian.

[saddad]

Our phacalia is waiting the wilting treatment... I always want it to flower but OH is much sterner...
;D

[caroline7758]

Thanks, I'll try to get that done at the weekend.

[Rhys]

I've heard you should dig it in a few weeks before you want to sow anything - if you sow straight away the green manure inhibits germination.

[Thegoodlife]

i too have some mustard & buck wheat as a green manure turned them in 3 weeks ago as they were getting very tall ;D, doris the rotovator did not like it much but she got through it!

ho & if any one wants a rotovator i have one going on ebay works perfectly as i  have fully restored it ;D

[saddad]

Some inhibit germination Rhys... mostly the grazing rye's I think...
:-\