Autumn planted Green Manures

[john4576]

Hi,
After the potato i have growing is harvested October/ November i intend to plant an overwinter green manure to build organic matter and prevent leeching of nutirients over winter on otherwise bare soil.
I was looking at Hungarian Rye Grass( Grazing) and Italian Rye Grass. Both dont effect crop rotation plans. But whats the difference between these proper bought grasses and the wild weed grass i have in garden. The weed garden grass at moment some have grains of seeds on it. Its Maybe about 1 feet tall thick mass.
If there no real difference grass is grass, could i sow these wild grass weed garden seeds in oct/nov to use as the green manure, rather than buying seed.

[nickdub]

I believe Hungarian Grazing Rye is a bit more cold tolerant, so depending on the weather you may get a greater weight of crop from it by next year.

BTW although these are classified as green manures they don't actually add any fertility to the soil - just improve the structure and help to conserve what's already there - for added fertility you need a nitrogen fixing plant like beans or lupins.

[veggiechicken]

Why don't you plant a crop after the potatoes instead of a green manure?

[Atta]

If you want cheap green manure visit one of Asian food stores and get some fenugreek or beans or mustard seeds.
I am planting turnips after my potatoes.

[Angeldon]

I planted field beans in October, never got round to chopping them down in the spring and now have a delicious crop of beans which are outdoing my normal broad beans

[veggiechicken]

Were they Wizard Beans? I always grow them overwinter to eat, rather than as green manure.

[Angeldon]

Not sure VC , but judging by the size of them I think they could be magic beans.

[veggiechicken]

Mine came from Realseeds https://www.realseeds.co.uk/broadbeanseed.html

[Angeldon]

I think that's where mine came from - will definitely be growing them again this year.

[veggiechicken]

They're easy to save too - so buy once and never again.

[john4576]

Could I dig the potato plants themselves back into the soil in Oct november when harvesting the potatoes and let them break down over winter. Or do I need to dispose of the plants

[ameno]

As long as they don't show any signs of disease then that should be fine.

[veggiechicken]

John, could I suggest that you tell us a little more about your plans for your plot as I'm struggling to understand what you want to do.
You've told us your growing 200 cabbages and are going to sow thistles to deter pigeons, now your talking about sowing grass as a green manure overwinter after potatoes.
If you share with us what you want to grow, the size of the plot and where you live we'd be better able to help you.

[john4576]

Okay Scottish borders location. Size that is being worked is 4 lots of 10m x10m. Last autumn was all wild grasses and weeds. Untouched for many a year.it was doubled dug through autumn and winter and grass buried under the soil.about 1 and half spades depth. Potatoes went in one section in April sarpo mira. seem to be doing fine. Cabbages assortment went lot 2 afew different varieties but been eaten off by pigeon. Lot 3 and 4 ran out of time but going to try purple queen dwarf beans as still just about time. And lot 4 half and half of swedes and kale Nero di toscana. Doesn't look like something pigeon would eat those black strap likesl eaves. Just growing for own family general consumption.

[bario1]

Pigeons LOVE cavolo nero!