The technique of growing green manures is gaining more converts now that organic gardening is the accepted norm.
Most seed companies now devote a separate section in their catalogs to green manure seeds.
What are The Benefits of Growing Green Manures?
The short answer is toimprove the soil.
A blanket of green manure softens the blows considerably.
The loss of nitrates through leaching is greatly reduced with a covering crop.
When you dig these green manures into the soil in spring the nitrogen becomes available to next years crop.
Those green manures with deep roots loosen and aerate the soil.
Green manures are an excellent source of humus when they are dug into the soil.
It should be broadcast sown from late summer to late autumn.
Winter taresis a winter hardy annual, fast-growingvetchwhich fixes nitrogen as doescrimson clover.
Both can be broadcast sown from early spring to mid-summer and also in late summer/early autumn.
Phacelia tanacetifoliais an erect hairy annual with finely cut leaves.
It is very good for adding humus to the soil.
Sow it broadcast from early spring to early autumn.
The more biological activity there is in the soil the more productive it is.
