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Advice on Clovers & Green Manures
Advice on Clovers & Green Manures
As follows are our main advice notes for all aspects of clovers and green manures.
Scroll down to find the appropriate one for you.
If there is any advice that is missing or you are not sure about something please feel free to contact us.
Posted on September 4, 2013
Mustard Seed

mustard seed
Sowing time |
March, April, May, June, July, August, September. |
Growing period: |
1-2 months |
Ideal Soil Type: |
Most. |
Nitrogen fixer: |
No. |
How to Sow: |
Prepare the soil by roughly digging it over and removing any weeds. Lightly tread the soil, and then sow the seeds by broadcast sowing (i.e. scattering evenly) for good coverage.. Rake the soil and water well. In dry periods you may need to water until the green manure is established. |
Care: |
The green manure should be cut down before flowering when the stems are nice and soft as they decompose quicker, retain more beneficial nutrients and are easier to incorporate into the soil. They can be dug into the soil by turning over into the top 15cms or left on the top as a mulch, the worms will drag down the organic matter and help to aerate the soil. |
Sow Rate: |
4.5 grams per square metre. |
Phacelia
Sowing time |
March, April, May, June, July, August, September. |
Growing period: |
1-3 months. |
Ideal Soil Type: |
Dry, Most. |
Nitrogen fixer: |
No. |
How to Sow: |
Remove weeds especially perennials, rake the soil and scatter the seed at a rate of 1g per sq m. Dig in to a depth of 1cm and lightly water in. |
Care: |
The green manure should be cut down before flowering when the stems are nice and soft as they decompose quicker, retain more beneficial nutrients and are easier to incorporate into the soil. They can be dug into the soil by turning over into the top 15cms or left on the top as a mulch, the worms will drag down the organic matter and help to aerate the soil. |
Sow Rate: |
1 gram per square metre. |
Posted on September 4, 2013
Alfalfa (Lucerne) seed

Lucerne Seed
Sowing time |
April, May, June, July. |
Growing period: |
2-3 months or up to 1 year for overwintering. |
Ideal Soil Type: |
Most soil types |
Nitrogen fixer: |
Yes |
How to Sow: |
Prepare the soil by roughly digging it over and removing any weeds. Lightly tread the soil, and then sow the seeds by broadcast sowing (i.e. scattering evenly) for good coverage. Rake the soil and water well. In dry periods you may need to water until the green manure is established. |
Care: |
The green manure should be cut down before flowering when the stems are nice and soft as they decompose quicker, retain more beneficial nutrients and are easier to incorporate into the soil. They can be dug into the soil by turning over into the top 15cms or left on the top as a mulch, the worms will drag down the organic matter and help to aerate the soil. |
Sow Rate: |
2.5 grams per square metre. |
Italian ryegrass
Sowing time |
March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. |
Growing period: |
3-24 months |
Ideal Soil Type: |
Most. |
Nitrogen fixer: |
No. |
How to Sow: |
Prepare the soil by roughly digging it over and removing any weeds. Lightly tread the soil, and then sow the seeds by broadcast sowing (i.e. scattering evenly) for good coverage. Rake the soil and water well. In dry periods you may need to water until the green manure is established. |
Care: |
The green manure should be cut down before flowering when the stems are nice and soft as they decompose quicker, retain more beneficial nutrients and are easier to incorporate into the soil. They can be dug into the soil by turning over into the top 15cms or left on the top as a mulch, the worms will drag down the organic matter and help to aerate the soil. |
Sow Rate: |
10 grams per square metre. |
Posted on September 4, 2013
White , and Wild white and clover seed blends

white clover seed
Sowing time |
March, April, May, June, July, August. |
Growing period: |
6 months or 2-5 years. |
Ideal Soil Type: |
Silt loam & clay soils |
Nitrogen fixer: |
Yes. |
How to Sow: |
Clear weeds especially perennials ones, rake the soil to a fine tilth and broadcast sow seeds at a rate of 1.5g per sq m. Rake in to a depth of 0.5cm, firm soil and lightly water. Keep moist to help germination. |
Care: |
The green manure should be cut down before flowering when the stems are nice and soft as they decompose quicker, retain more beneficial nutrients and are easier to incorporate into the soil. They can be dug into the soil by turning over into the top 15cms or left on the top as a mulch, the worms will drag down the organic matter and help to aerate the soil. |
Sow Rate: |
1.5 grams per square metre. |
Red clover
Sowing time |
April, May, June, July, August, September. |
Growing period: |
3-18 months. |
Ideal Soil Type: |
Loam or sandy soil |
Nitrogen fixer: |
Yes. |
How to Sow: |
Prepare the soil by roughly digging it over and removing any weeds. Lightly tread the soil, and then sow the seeds by broadcast sowing (i.e. scattering evenly) for good coverage. Rake the soil and water well. In dry periods you may need to water until the green manure is established. |
Care: |
The green manure should be cut down before flowering when the stems are nice and soft as they decompose quicker, retain more beneficial nutrients and are easier to incorporate into the soil. They can be dug into the soil by turning over into the top 15cms or left on the top as a mulch, the worms will drag down the organic matter and help to aerate the soil. |
Sow Rate: |
2 grams per square metre. |