GREEN MANURE

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A green manure is a crop grown primarily for the purpose of being plowed under to add nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Organic farmers consider green manure to be an essential part of the farm ecosystem. No-till farmers will just keep the green manure mowed and let foliage lay on ground and over a period of time will decompose.

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Green manure can be from many field crops. Legumes like alfalfa or sweet clover, white clover, peas, black medic, red clover and indian head lentils. Vetches are used and they add nitrogen and better the soil. Other crops that are not legumes like oats, forage grasses, fall rye, buckwheat and barley can provide that green manure.

You will find that green manure will help control pests, control needed nutrients and aid in soil matter. Controls soil erosion, adds organic matter, reduces compacted soil and increases microorganisms activity in the soil.

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If done correctly and timely green manure aids in smothering out weeds, will break down harmful insects and plant diseases cycles. It will also provide a habitat for bees, parasitic wasps and other beneficial insects. Crops like mustard and yellow sweet clover produce a toxin that retards germination of weed species. Fall rye has been known to also retard germination of wildflowers-not good.

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When incorporating green manure into the top 3 inches of the soil will provide best decomposition of the manure. Incorporate in the fall to give maximum benefit to bring the nitrogen out in the spring.

The micro and macronutrients from the green manure will available for a number of years after the microbes break down the manure. A bonus to this is acids released in the breakdown process will lower the pH of the soil and increase phosphorus for plants.

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