How to choose green manure for sowing and other useful tips for growing green manures
Green manure should not be planted at random, thinking that in any case there will be at least some benefit from them.
This is not the most rational approach from the point of view of competent farming. Let's figure out which green manure crops and in which case should be chosen for sowing and how to grow them with benefit.
You need to pay attention to such details as soil structure, site location, crop rotation and other interesting things.
1. If the soil is heavy and clayey, you can make it loose by sowing oilseed radish or mustard, as well as lupine or legumes.
2. For those who have a plot on a slope, it makes sense to grow cruciferous plants, and all because in such areas, useful substances are washed out of the soil, and the root system of these plants prevents erosion.
3. In poor soil, it makes sense to sow winter rape, rapeseed and other crops that quickly grow and decompose after being incorporated into the soil.
4. If there is not enough nitrogen, plant vetch, beans, alfalfa or lupine.
5. When it is necessary to put pests in their place, sow legumes or phacelia, which are primarily effective against nematodes.
When to sow
Vetch is sown for the winter after harvesting – at the end of July or in August. Good results are obtained by sowing together with wheat or winter rye.
Mustard can be sown in spring and after harvest. It can be sown and left in between the rows of the main crops to control pests.
Lupine is best suited for sowing in late August or spring.
Phacelia can be sown from spring to late autumn.
Winter rye will produce good results if sown in late summer and worked into the soil in spring.
Rape is sown in September, and spring rape in August. Oilseed radish can be sown from June until the end of autumn.
