Green Manures

[waterfall]

Does anyone have any experience of the benefits or problems associated with growing and digging in green manures? Things like Comfrey and Rye grass are mentioned in articles but do they work and which is the best one to sow?

Our soil is sandy with some clay deeper down.

[oldie]

Comfrey isn't exactly a green manure. It's roots can go down, I'm told, to 30 feet. You cut the leaves off and use as a mulch, compost accelerator or making liquid manure. Rye is hard to dig in and you can't sow seeds direct for at least six weeks after it has been dug in but putting in transplants is OK. Things like Buckwheat, Fenugreek and Phacellia are quick growing and quite good at suppressing weeds. Mustard is sometimes used after potatoes as it is supposed to suppress eel worms. Some green manures are Brassica's and others are legumes so you need to use them accordingly. There are a lot of posts in the forum so have a search and see what else you find.