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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: caroline7758 on February 28, 2008, 16:17:01

Title: Green manure
Post by: caroline7758 on February 28, 2008, 16:17:01
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?
Title: Re: Green manure
Post by: adrianhumph on February 28, 2008, 16:48:15
 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.
Title: Re: Green manure
Post by: saddad on February 28, 2008, 17:19:00
Our phacalia is waiting the wilting treatment... I always want it to flower but OH is much sterner...
;D
Title: Re: Green manure
Post by: caroline7758 on February 28, 2008, 17:26:02
Thanks, I'll try to get that done at the weekend.
Title: Re: Green manure
Post by: Rhys on February 29, 2008, 07:01:03
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.
Title: Re: Green manure
Post by: Thegoodlife on February 29, 2008, 22:23:06
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
Title: Re: Green manure
Post by: saddad on February 29, 2008, 22:26:56
Some inhibit germination Rhys... mostly the grazing rye's I think...
:-\