Advice on Clovers & Green Manures Archives | Our Advice Section & Customers Meadow Pictures

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.