Green Crops
Boost Your Soil Fertility & Structure
Replace nutrients & improve micro-organism activity
with Lupins, Mustard, & Grains
A green manure crop is the growing of a crop that will be dug back into the soil. It is a natural method of soil maintenance, when dug into the soil it will boost and replace lost nutrients. This will also encourage earthworms and other beneficial micro organisms to your garden.
The roots of the green crops push through the soil, helping to break up lightly compacted ground. When the crop itself is cut up and dug through the soil, it will also provide additional structural boost, aerating and eventually composting down. All of the nutrients from the green crop get returned to the soil, proving to be a wonderful, natural fertiliser.
There are four main varieties of seed commonly used as green manure crops; Blue Lupins, Barley, Oats and Mustard.
Click here to watch a video on Green Crop Planting.
For a successful Green Manure Crop, simply apply the seeds at the recommended rates. Then in early spring before the plants flower, (but while the stems are still soft and watery) dig your green manure back into the soil. After digging it in, it is best to leave the ground for up to three weeks before planting your next crop. This is essential with mustard.
The addition of organic media and animal manure, such as sheep & chicken pellets, before digging in will hasten the breakdown of your green manure. They will also boost your soil with extra nutrients, leading you towards to your next bumper crop!
Blue Lupins
This is a good one for maintenance of a soil’s fertility. Recycling lost nutrients from your subsoil coupled with adding vast amounts of ‘free nitrogen’ which is readily available to your next crops.
Plant in the late summer to autumn. Sow approx 25g per square metre. Let the green crop grow for approx 7-8 weeks, then dig in well.
Although Blue Lupins can have a beautiful flower, to get the best from your green crop you need to dig it back into the soil before blooms, when the stems are still green and soft.
- Sow approx 25g per square metre.
- Grow for approx 7-8 weeks.
Mustard
This aids in the control of wireworm, nematodes etc, which are often problems associated with root crops.
Mustard also reduces the chances of any soil bourne diseases within 40 days of digging in.
(Note; If club root is a problem don’t plant brassicas crops after mustard).
Plant late summer to autumn. Sow approx 20g per square metre. Leave the crop for 7-8 weeks then dig in well.
Leave the ground for three weeks before planting your next crop.
- Sow approx 20g per square metre.
- Grow for approx 7-8 weeks.
Peas
Peas are a quick-growing, green mass above ground and are one of the best crops for providing nitrogen to the soil. A strong root system breaks up the soil and catches extra nutrients to make them available for spring crops.
Plant late summer to autumn. Sow approx 10g per square metre.
Cut down before the peas start flowering – otherwise the stems will harden and less nutrients will be available to break down into the soil.
- Sow approx 10g per square metre.
- Grow for approx 7-8 weeks.
Barley, Oats & Wheat
All three of these crops produce a large mass of foliage and roots through the winter. They add both protein and organic matter to the soil, in addition to strengthening your soil structure.
Plant late summer to autumn. Sow approx 45g per square metre. Leave the crop for 7-8 weeks then dig into soil.
Approximately 2 weeks later re-dig the soil before planting your new vegetables for great results.
- Sow approx 45g per square metre.
- Grow for approx 7-8 weeks.
Blue Lupin, Mustard and Grain Mix
Also available are combination packs that are a mixture of all the best crops. These mixtures are very effective as they will purify your soil and at the same time build up your soil nutrient. It helps with the prevention of wire worm and adds nitrogen and organic matter to your vegetable garden.
Plant this green crop in late summer to autumn. Sow approx 35g per square metre. Let green crop grow for approx 7-8 weeks, then dig well back into the ground.
Approximately 2 weeks later re-dig the soil before planting your new vegetables for great results.
- Sow approx 35g per square metre.
- Grow for approx 7-8 weeks.