Conclusion of green manuring and benefits

Conclusion of green manuring

1. Green manures are potentially an expensive way to build fertility in protected systems
2. With rotation planning and market consideration this cost can be reduced
3. More research is needed to measure tangible benefits.
4. Other strategies may further improve viability. Eg. Under-sowing, mobile structures, making compost from field green manure cuttings.

Links to prepare your own Green manure

Quick mix green manure

 

Summer N-Fix green manure

 

Winter N-Fix green manure

 

 

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Quick Mix green manure : How to have your own green manure to maintain soil fertiity

There are three types of Green manuring depending on your needs, Namely

1. Quick Mix – 2-3 month non-leguminous mix, fast growing, weed suppressive and reasonably drought tolerant.
2. Summer N-Fix – 3-4 month, 2 clovers, requires weed control and inoculant, good potential for N and OM
3. Winter N-Fix – 5-6 month, requires weed control, good before hungry summer crops.

Quick Mix

Buckwheat                    (4g/m²)

Ameranth                      (0.3g/m²)

Phacelia                        (1.2g/m²)

Sow anytime from April – Aug

Broadcast buckwheat separately.

Perhaps mix sand with small ameranth/phacelia seed to assist even sowing.

 

Can be incorporated from 6 weeks >

 

Buck wheat

• Fast Growing
• Shades out weeds
• Attracts beneficial insects
• Phosphate accumulator
• Will germinate well in decomposing crop debris
•  Slow to form viable seed

 

 

Green Amaranth

• Fast growing
• Drought resistant
• Large woody plant if allowed to mature = possible N lock-up
• Will not seed in long days
• Buy as ‘grain’

 

 

Phacelia

• Fast growing
• Shades out weeds
• Flowers attract beneficial insects
• Soft tissue = rapid breakdown
• Cut before seed set

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After 4 weeks cut all the plants and spread out on the raised bed and fill with soil and leave it for few days to decompose. After decomposing you can plant your crops.

 

Summer-n-fix green manure cultivation is explained in the tommorrow's post

 

Looking forward for your support and queries!

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