Green Manure

Can anyone tell me when the best time is to dig in green manure. How much should you let it grow before you know it's ready to dig in. We have sown some in late December and it's already growing well but we are unsure of the next step. Thanks

 

I think you should dig it in just before you plan to plant out that way it will provide the food for your plants. Its alot of hard work mind

 

I think it also depends on the plant you're digging in.

Whatever you do don't make the mistake I made once many years ago (never ever again) and plant Alfalfa. AAARGH; why didn't I do a bit of research...this alleged green manure turned out to be a deep rooted perennial menace that needed several blats with Roundup to remove! Digging just made no difference. :( So much for the organic veggie patch! Potato plants grew like billy-oh the following year though!

 

At a recent lecture i was told by the prof that two handfuls of sulphate of ammonia were just as beneficial if not more so and involved a lot less work,but if you are being all organic thats not an option i haven't done the green manure myself but i bet you weren't amused with the alfalfa! there is an annual lupin thats reputed to be a good one for this role.

 

Just make sure you dig it in before it sets seed!

There are various types. I used phacelia tanacetifolium (from memory think that's how it was spelt....) They are suitable for different soils and conditions, and vary in their timing, so you need to know what you're using.