Green manure or bagged manure

[afrench108]

Hi, i normally dig my compost into the garden for autum but having made the plot larger i have not enough so would you reccommend sowing green manure (which is best) or bagged manure from the garden center????
Any advice helpful

[ginger ninger]

Why not do both, that way you get the goodness in the soil and something on the top to stop the weeds from growing as much, I use red clover, but there's lots to choose from.

[Alison]

If possible I'd get well rotted manure from your local stables rather than buy it bagged from the garden centre as it'll be loads cheaper and only put it on the beds where you're growing crops which will benefit from it next year.

[SlugLobber]

Yup, I would ask around. Most yards would be ecstatic for someone to come and take away their old manure and if they're like me, they'll have different piles for different seasons (so I know which is older and can keep it segregated while it rots).

[bluemoon]

If you do go the green manure route it's a little lte for many of them. Vetches (aka Winter Tares are good for this time of year, but don't do well on clay. If you're on clay (as I am) try field beans. Both are nitrogen fixers.