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Posted by Ed on August 20, 2008, 12:15 pm
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On 19/08/08 18:17, Billy wrote:
>
>> I have never grown a green manure before and am not clear, from what I
>> have read, as to how exactly I should dig in the crop before it reaches
>> flowering time.
> IF you dig, do it about three weeks before you plan to plant.
>> Does 'digging in' simply mean turning the soil over with a fork to
>> incorporate as much as possible of the top-growth into the top 4 to 6
>> inches? If I do that, won't it continue growing and sprout up again?
> IF you're going to dig, work it into the top 8" - 24" of soil.
>> Or do I use a spade and start trenching and totally bury the growth
>> from one trench-line into the bottom of the previous trench-line? - sort
>> of like double digging. If so, that does sound like a lot of work.
> IF you are going to dig, this is a good method to do ONCE but not
> necessary.
>> Please help!
>>
>> Ed
>
> My preferred method is to cut it and leave it lie. Then mulch over
> the cut plants. Wait two to three weeks and plant. This is a very
> modified form of lasagna gardening
> <http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/1999-04-01/Lasagna-Gard
> ening.aspx> and it is a no dig approach to gardening. If you are worried
> about reemergence of the "green manure" or weeds, layer black and white
> news print over your planting area. If your soil is very hard and
> compact you may want to digthe "green manure" in the first time
> (I'd use a garden fork to reduce damage to the worms) or use some
> buckwheat or rye in combination with a nitrogen fixing plant like
> beans, or peas, or clover, or alfalfa.
>
> Rye and buckwheat can put an incredible amount of organic material
> into the soil as roots. Every year will just get better ;O)
Billy,
You always give a good reply.
I think I go with your advice.
Ed
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