What is a green manure crop?

Green manures are crops grown to be cut back before flowering or seed production, and left on the soil to die, or dug back into the soil rather than harvested. Common choices include buckwheat, rye grass, oats, peas, lupins, field radish and vetch. 

Why sow a green manure crop?

Green manure crops have many benefits on a market farm. They can keep soil covered when it isn't needed for crops, to prevent wind and rain erosion. They also improve soil texture by adding organic matter to the soil. Some, such as mustard, can be used to fumigate the soil to make it inhospitable to pests such as harmful nematodes. Green manure can even be grown as a mulch by slashing it down before flowering and covering it with a tarp, then removing the tarp once it is dead and planting straight between the mulch. Many green manures even produce their own nitrogen which can then be released into the soil for the following crop. They are well worth exploring if you want to improve soil cheaply and easily. 

Still to come

Next time I will talk about farm tasks by time of year. 

This week's recipe links

Middle Eastern Eggplant Wrap from Feasting at Home. 

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Sausage from Platings & Pairings. 

15-Minute Miso Soup with Mizuna from Yup It's Vegan. 

Green Bean Omelette from Rosheen Kaul. 

More info

To read more about what's happening on our local organic farm this week as we grow and care for veggies for our box delivery, check out this week's newsletter here.