billit

 


I am going to use green manure for the first time namely mustard and
could
anyone tell me if you cut it down before you dig it in or do you
let it die
back. Any information on this type of manuring would be most
welcome




--
Billit

 


Never grown mustard however I would cut it back, leave the clippings and
then
turn it under and by next spring you shoudl have improved soil.
Maybe turn it
once more in the winter.




--
bullthistle

 



In lasagna gardening (no dig), you would cover your green manure with
newsprint or cardboard, and then cover that unsightly mess with mulch
(alfalfa/lucern is my favorite but leaves would be fine).
Wait two weeks, and plant by digging holes in the mulch. I usually use
rye, or a green manure mix from my local nursery. The rye (or buckwheat)
will put lots of organic material in your soil. The green manure mix has
clover and peas to add nitrogen.

http://ourgardengang.tripod.com/lasagna_gardening.htm
http://organicgardening.about.com/od/startinganorganicgarden/a/lasagnagar
den.htm
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/1999-04-01/Lasagna-Garde
ning.aspx

Lasagna gardening is no dig gardening, although if you could double dig
it the first year, and that would speed up the development of your
garden, but it isn't necessary.

http://www.wikihow.com/Double-Dig-a-Garden
http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s-5-19-934,00.html
http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/double-digging.html

Either way be sure to add your amendments to the organic material,
manure, phosphate, and potassium, when you prep the garden area this
Fall.
--
³When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the
poor have no food, they call you a communist.²
-Archbishop Helder Camara

http://tinyurl.com/o63ruj
http://countercurrents.org/roberts020709.htm

 



I knocked mine down and let it sit on top of the soil, no digging in.

rob