Sunshine
Organic Fanatic
- Aug 7, 2017
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- 7,150
Everything you wanted to know about ‘green manures’....
What are they?
Green manures are plants which are grown to benefit the soil. They can
They are quick growing, so the process is simple. You sow, they grow - and then you dig them in. In just a few weeks their green foliage returns the nutrients to the soil.
Soil fertility – Clover and vetch absorb nitrogen from the air and fix it in nodules on their roots. Once the green plant is mature, by digging it back into the soil all the nutrients are returned as the plant decomposes. This process also feeds the millions of small microcosms in the soil, stimulating them into creating a healthy rich growing medium.
Improved soil structure – whether your soil is heavy and clay-like, or light and sandy, green manures can help rectify any problems. The extensive, and sometimes deeply penetrating, root system of green manures will open up heavy soils, allowing better drainage. In light soils, these roots remain closely bound to the soil particles and act as a sponge. They hold onto moisture and nutrients, and prevent them from being washed out.
Retains Moisture: Just like normal mulches, the clover will retain moisture in the soil by absorbing all of the sun before it hits the soil, helping you maintain a healthy spongey soil; rather than a dried out top few inches and a soggy bottom, you will get much more even moisture levels throughout the soil.
more info https://www.greenmanure.co.uk/pages/what-is-green-manure
What are they?
Green manures are plants which are grown to benefit the soil. They can
- improve the soil fertility, including adding valuable nitrogen
- improve the soil structure, giving better drainage or water retention
- suppress weeds (outdoor)
- attract beneficial insects and other predators (outdoor)
They are quick growing, so the process is simple. You sow, they grow - and then you dig them in. In just a few weeks their green foliage returns the nutrients to the soil.
Soil fertility – Clover and vetch absorb nitrogen from the air and fix it in nodules on their roots. Once the green plant is mature, by digging it back into the soil all the nutrients are returned as the plant decomposes. This process also feeds the millions of small microcosms in the soil, stimulating them into creating a healthy rich growing medium.
Improved soil structure – whether your soil is heavy and clay-like, or light and sandy, green manures can help rectify any problems. The extensive, and sometimes deeply penetrating, root system of green manures will open up heavy soils, allowing better drainage. In light soils, these roots remain closely bound to the soil particles and act as a sponge. They hold onto moisture and nutrients, and prevent them from being washed out.
Retains Moisture: Just like normal mulches, the clover will retain moisture in the soil by absorbing all of the sun before it hits the soil, helping you maintain a healthy spongey soil; rather than a dried out top few inches and a soggy bottom, you will get much more even moisture levels throughout the soil.
more info https://www.greenmanure.co.uk/pages/what-is-green-manure
