Green manures are a traditional technique rapidly coming back into fashion. Also called ‘cover crops’ they are simply short-term crops that are specifically grown to be dug back into the soil, adding much needed organic matter and nutrients.
Green manure crops play a valuable role in agriculture, and especially organic farming practices because of the many benefits they provide to the soil and the ease of growing.

There are six main advantages from growing green manures:

They add organic matter to the soil which helps improve its structure and fertility.

They help make nutrients available to any plants that are grown in the soil afterwards.

They prevent nutrients being washed through the soil in winter (known as leaching).

They suppress the growth of weeds.

They protect the soil from pounding by rain in winter which can cause a compacted layer to form on the surface.

They help break-up heavy soils, improving drainage.

I
n addition, some flowering green manures are very good at attracting pollinating insects; they provide a valuable food source for bees, butterflies and other insects which are of significant benefit to the gardener. In addition, the flowers are often very attractive.

A green manure is commonly sown immediately after one crop finishes but before the next crop. Some can be under sown or fitted in between rows.
They are a great way for the gardener with a small plot to gain many of the advantages of manuring when they are confronted with limited space and access difficulties. Just the sowing of a few handfuls of the green manure seed and its digging in with the most basic of tools, a spade and old fashioned elbow grease!

Green Manure ‘Winter Mix’ is a specially formulated mix suitable for sowing in late summer, through autumn and for digging in during spring. It is a good all-round mix, containing three plants that each has different properties that helps with weed suppression, prevents leaching of nutrients, adds organic matter and makes nitrogen available to following crops.

Sowing Period: August to October
Soil: Most soil types
Growing Period: 3 to 6 months
Coverage: 3kg per acre – 50gm covers 17 square metres

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum)
A good ground cover that will help with weed suppression, it is quick and easy to grow. It can take a degree of frost but even if it does die back the winter roots are beneficial. Good nitrogen fixer. Suits most soils especially useful in sandy ones but does like it free draining.

Mustard White Tilney (Sinapis alba)
The mustard is quick growing and can be sown from March to September for a period of 2 to 4 months. It is quick growing, suits most soils and develops a high level of green matter and fibre. Excellent for soils lacking organic matter, helping to improve soil texture and give better moisture retention.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
This is a fast growing perennial that can be left in situ for 3 to18 months. Its deep roots are excellent nitrogen fixers and penetrate the soil helping to improve its structure. Red clover has leafy growth that smothers weeds and can grow in most soil types.

Sowing: Sow in August through to late October
Prepare the soil by removing weeds, digging over if it hasn’t been recently cultivated and raking level. Scatter seeds over the surface of the soil.
Make sure the seed is in firm contact with the soil by gently tapping over the surface with the back of a spade. Water in well.

Bare patches should be covered within two to three weeks and plants will do the most good if they are left for around eight weeks before digging in.
If plants start to flower before this, cut off the tops and dig in. Leave the green manure to decompose in the soil for up to four weeks before growing vegetables.

Don’t forget !
Rotate green manures as you would any other crop. For example – Rotate Vicia, and Alfalfa, with Peas/Beans, Mustard and Fodder Raddish with Brassicas
There’s something about growing cover crops makes a person feel like a farmer!