green manure

[kerry]

Recently took on an allotment (90' x 23' - have no idea what a 'rod' is ). Flushed with enthusiasm i dug the whole lot (it originally resembled a field and had not been cultivated before) and now have, along with the sore back, a kind of ploughed field . The soil is quiet light and dry and I thought it might be a good idea to sow a green manure to protect it over the winter but i'm worried it might be too difficult to dig in in the spring - the thought of digging another field makes me quake . Is the green manure a good idea, if so which one and how hard are they to turn in with just a garden fork? Be grateful for any advice.

[nick the grief]

A rod is a fing a fisherman uses

Rod

1. In land or square measure: A square rod; the 160th part of an acre
2. A measure of length containing 16.5 feet (also called a perch or a pole)

Green manure

You can sow something like Clover if you don't want to use Grazing Rye. The benefits are that it helps to retain nutrients by stopping the winter rains leaching them out. You won't need to so it all over as I assume you'll be planting dome of the winter-hardy crops on there so it's only the bit that is fallow that needs to be treated like this.

Have a look on the old HDRA site they used to have load of info re greenmanures.

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/orga...g/grn_mans.php

[andrewo]

Phacelia is a good green manure as well and can be planted to overwinter or in summer to flower (though technically it isn't a green maure then) but you can cut back sections and let others flower (they are fantastic for bringing in bees). Clover and mustard are both good but only go to a certain depth, rye grass is classed as one of the best, breaking down the soil and is then incredibly easy to use, you can cut back to a foot, use the grass in your compost or leave to dry and use as bedding for strawberries in the following year. Then cut back the remaining grass hard, and then leave to rot and/or dig in.

Each green manure does something different and HDRA would be a good starting point.

[OverWyreGrower]

I'd had a thought about planting this in our paddock until we're ready to start spring planting...

We're going to get the paddock cleared of current grass/weeds etc by ploughing it all up (with our new garden tractor thingy)...

Where do you buy green manure from (rye grass) - have never seen it in local nurseries/garden centres...

Cheers

[Lesley Jay]

Edwin Tucker sells green manure seeds. www.edwintucker.com

[kerry]

Thanks for advice. Checked out 'gardenorganic' site and have decided to try clover (unless anyone knows of a good reason why i shouldn't..??) I have another manure related question - i know you're supposed to use only well rotted manure but if there is nothing growing in the soil would it be ok to just spread the unrotted manure (stable- includes straw) on the ground now to act as a mulch and protect very light, dry, fine soil over winter? Would it rot down by spring or just sit there? Grateful (again) for any advice.

[Squirrel]

Kerry, I spread fresh manure on my empty beds one autumn and they were brilliant by the spring! I also am on light sandy soil. I didn't dig it in, just left it on top!

Was just wondering what to do with all my empty space, as I am in the process of changing the garden around, so have made space for veg (were weeds and not happy flowers) but will need to wait until next year to get it all covered again.

I had forgotten about having done that previously, thanks for reminding me! You mentioned in another post that one day you might even be able to give advice, well see, already you are being of help!

[nick the grief]

It's fine to do it like that Kerry especially as you are on light soil. If you can cover it with some Teram (the woven membrane stuff) it will stop weeds growing & the worms will be a little more active as it will act like a cloche & warm the sol a bit.

You could always leave it inplace & cut a cross in it every18" - 2ft & plant your spuds thru it in the spring if you wanted to save earthing up

[kerry]

Thanks Nick and Squirrel. Will be ordering manure on Sunday and have been worrying about such light soil being exposed to weather - at the moment it turns to a dust bowl when the wind blows! And glad to be of help Squirrel - never thought it would happen!

[Peter]

A rod is approx 25sq-m.