Thinning out Phacelia green manure?

[petebetros]

So I sowed these seeds a month or so back as per packet instructions i.e. 1g per m2.

They're coming along nicely as you can see



but I've been reading that I should thin them out until there's a hand sized gap between plants? Is this correct as it seems an awful waste

[chris]

I'd leave them - the point is to cover the ground anyway. They're quite large already, I've only just sowed mine.

If they get too big and look like they're going to flower this year due to the hot weather/lack of rain you may need to cut them down (main stem). That'll knock them back a bit, they'll then either die from frosts as they're too large/not hardy enough or overwinter ready to be dug in.

They're large plants mind - I'd definately leave a couple to flower, the bees go CRAZY for phacelia.. plus they'll self seed all over the shop then, giving you free green manure/coverage in the future

[snakeshack]

i'd leave them too,the bees love them,and you'll get more organic material to dig in,which is the whole point of green manure anyway

[petebetros]

Thanks, I did think it was a little odd to thin it out so much. I'm not too fussed about letting them flower as I've read they are real easy just to pull out when you need the space; plus a few cut flowers brought home after yet more time spent down the lottie might keep the other half happier

[Two_Sheds]

I've been reading that I should thin them out until there's a hand sized gap between plants?

Where did you read that?

You'd thin out if you were growing a plant for maximum fruit/flower production, but you're after ground cover, in which case you really do want the plants crammed in together