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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: aquilegia on October 15, 2004, 13:34:35

Title: green manure - now?
Post by: aquilegia on October 15, 2004, 13:34:35
I am too late to sow green manure (I've just been reading the autumn manure thread). I have some red clover seeds.
Title: Re:green manure - now?
Post by: salad muncher on October 15, 2004, 13:59:03
I dont think you are to late I am still putting in Tares winter and had no problem with first lot its coming thru now better to try than leave the ground doing nothing and I am west of London go for it.
Title: Re:green manure - now?
Post by: Sarah-b on October 15, 2004, 16:55:35
Apparently, you can still sow grazing rye and through November too. I got a big packet from Kings, but haven't sown any yet.

SB
Title: Re:green manure - now?
Post by: settler on October 21, 2004, 12:10:19
what is green manure iv`e got hrse muck :o
Title: Re:green manure - now?
Post by: Mrs Ava on October 21, 2004, 12:29:54
Green manure are plants which grow quickly, have good fibrous roots to improve earth structure, provide lots of leafy growth to compete with weeds and often fix nitrogen from the air into the ground via root nodules.  During the autumn and winter when all it does is rain, a lot of nutrients can be leached from the ground, these plants help cut this down.  Once they have grown and started to flower, or when you are approaching the time that you will need the bed, you chop the plants down and dig them in, improving the humus content.  You can sow green manures any time throughout the year and they should be considered if a bed is going to stand vacant for any period of time.  Manure is great tho, if you can get it, so long as it is rotted down.