Green Manures

[seasidegirl]

I'm trying this out. My soil needs improving as most of my beds are surrounded by neighbour's trees. I never seem to make enough compost and also am trying to reduce heavy lifting of bags of manure etc.

My autumn sowing was a bit late. Just a couple of weeks ago but luckily I got them in during a warm wet spell and now they are getting some lovely sunshine. It was a bit of a gamble as to whether they'd grow that late or be killed by frost straight away but as the seeds were only £1.75 it was worth a go.

I tried White mustard (which has a yellow flower, it looks like rape) and Phacelia Tanacetifolia which looks really pretty on the packet with ferny leaves and a light blue or lilac flower. Both of them are recommended because they break up heavy soils and improve structure, prevent erosion. You basically grow them and then dig in before they set seed. I sowed mine very liberally, ignoring the spacing etc. They might not grow too well because of this but I like the look of them and the beds were going to be empty anyway.


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/seasidelady1/6343553790/" title="Green Manure by seasidelady1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6215/634 ... 99ef16.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Green Manure"></a>

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Have you considered adding lucerne / alfalfa to your mix? Good, deep rooting (draws minerals up from the sub soil) and a nitrogen fixer.

[Millymollymandy]

I'm going to try some Phacelie next year as there's lots of it around at the moment in the fields and it looks so pretty and apparently bees love it too. Have never tried before because there's always lots in my veg patch until about November and I didn't think it would germinate/flower if sown so late.

[Flo]

I grow phacelia under the fruit trees amongst the herbs and then throw it on the compost heap after flowering. Yes it's great for bees.

[seasidegirl]

Thanks Jon. I'll make a note to try lucerne. The deep rooting sounds ideal.

MM the timing is tricky and I was just lucky this year with a mild autumn. As you say though the plants are so pretty I'd consider starting some off in plugs next year if the beds aren't ready. The latest sowing date on the packet is September but these dates are only guidelines imo.

Flo. I like your idea too. Never have enough compost and have been thinking about growing plants specifically to compost.
Not sure if this is a good use of resources (growing space) though. I think that if any ground was going to be vacant and the soil will be improved then it seems worthwhile.

Sorry about my link. I'll tinker about today and try and make a photo show up. This might take a while!

[Millymollymandy]

I'd like to see a photo. I'm going to grow less stuff in general next year so thought the bare patches could be put to good use, with some annual flowers - some for cutting maybe - and some pretty green manure.

[seasidegirl]

I managed a link to the flickr photo but couldn't get the picture in the message.

Only seedlings tho.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/seasidelad ... hotostream

[phil55494]

I'll second that bees love Phacelia. We grew some on a bed at the plot earlier this year and let some go to flower, a very pretty little flower. That particular bed was empty because we were going to move the Strawberry patch in there (now done). We have also sown another bed that was used for onions. I know the Phacelia won't stay alive over winter but it does out compete the weeds and covers the bed till we need it again next spring.

[Millymollymandy]

I wonder if the white mustard with yellow flowers is what I am seeing in fields all around me right now - noticed same last year and wondered why rape was being grown so late in the year when it must surely be too late to go to seed and harvest - hadn't realised it could have been a green manure! This year with the very mild autumn lots of fields are looking really pretty all blue or yellow.

[seasidegirl]

Thanks. This is definitely an incentive to grow some more in the spring.

I'm so glad I sowed these seeds. They are growing so well in the mild damp autumn and the bright green carpet of young plants looks great. The instructions said that they can be dug in after 50 odd days and if it looks like mine are going to be on target for that. There is also the option to mow them if I want. I think in a different season I would but don't want to set them back just before a cold spell.

Looking forward to digging them in when the time is right.

[Odsox]

As you are a "Seaside Girl" have you considered collecting seaweed ?
Just about THE best manure/soil conditioner you can get. Collect a bagful when you get time, lay it on top of you soil and dig the remains in next spring. No need to wash the salt out as the winter rains will do that for you.
Also just perfect as a compost accelerator and it's FREE

[seasidegirl]

Thanks Odsox,

Yes I have applied seaweed and do think it was good. I got the idea from Countryfile when they showed the Jersey potato growers applying truckloads.

We don't get that much washed up on the beaches near me and I don't always have the car when the tides are right. A sack of wet seaweed is heavy and I am supposed to avoid lifting. This is why I'm so impressed with green manure and the fact the seeds fit in my pocket.

Will get some seaweed again though. Just got to get the timing right.