Green Manure

Posted by Ena Clewes
October 18th, 2007
Filed in Compost
Tags: Compost, fertilizer, manure, nutrients

Green manure is a term used for grasses and legumes grown and then tilled under. It is very cheap and easy to use, and in most cases is faster-acting than home-made compost.

In severe winter areas, a green manure crop can protect the soil and give the added benefit of nutrients and organic material to the soil in spring. The best plant to add nutrients to the soil are grasses and legumes. Legumes are great to use as they are able to take nitrogen out of the air and convert it into a form that other plants can use.

Some gardeners only use legumes as a nitrogen source.

A good mix of legumes to grasses is 60% legumes, 30% grasses, and 10% grains.

Many seed companies will mix a blend of seeds to your specification needs.

Green Manure Technique

You can plant green manure crops in spring, summer or fall. Prepare the soil just as you would for a vegetable garden. Once the soil has been smoothed out and is ready to plant in, broadcast the green manure seeds at about 2-3 pounds of seed, per 1000 sq.ft.
of seedbed area. Cover the seeds with a light topping of soil or compost and water.

Allow the plants to grow until just before they bloom, then till them under. Wait 2-4 weeks to allow the plants to break down in the soil and release nitrogen.

With the soil thus renewed, you are now ready to plant your desired crop!