Fall has arrived on The Homestead. There are beautiful fall colors, cool temperatures, pumpkins, squash, gourds; and for those of us in the U.S., Halloween! It is an invigorating season as we continue to enjoy the outdoors, winterize our home and make much needed preparations for the farm-to-be in spring. The winter season is an excellent time for planning. Well planned gardens of any variety or size lend themselves to greater success. By planning ahead, you have more time to research soils, soil amendment techniques, and the plant types and varieties best suited for your environmental conditions. Spring 2009 preparations include a budget, researching permaculture, scheduling extensive plantings around work schedules and amending weary soil.
The last two years have been unsuccessful garden years. The first year we were contending with a drought. However, this summer, in spite of excellent growing weather, the garden did not produce anything. The most logical explanation is the soil. Next spring I plan to test it for pH and nutrient content. I am not expecting healthy soil results and since I am working towards a sustainable living and farming plan, I have started my research with the "how-to" of green manure for northern Wisconsin.
For a basic explanation of permacutlure watch this video:
Depending on growing seasons, temperatures, moisture levels and plant availability, usage of green manure will differ. For some lucky people they may be able to utilize green manure twice a year. For more information on how to customize the information in the "How to" section of this article, contact your local agricultural expert. In the U.S., this is usually the County Agricultural Extension Agent.
The "How To" of Green Manure
It is common knowledge that soil health is important to grow an abundant and healthy garden. Without the proper nutrients, plants won't grow, flowers won't bloom, and fruits and vegetables will cease to exist. This makes routine soil care essential. Many people regularly use chemical fertilizers to meet their soil's and plants' needs. However, for gardeners who aren't comfortable using chemicals, those who want to garden in a more environmentally-friendly fashion, those who like to try new techniques, and those who just want to garden more, green manure is an excellent non-chemical fertilizer option.
Utilizing green manure is the practice of incorporating young, succulent green plants into the soil. As the newly incorporated organic matter begins to decompose it releases key soil nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen is important for overall growth and the production of foliage. Phosphorus encourages fundamental plant processes like root production and setting buds. Potassium contributes to the overall health and vigor of plants. These newly incorporated and vital nutrients are then available to vegetable gardens throughout the growing season. Other advantages of using green manure include enhancement of soil structure and aeration, weed suppression, increased soil microbes, inhibition of pests and diseases, and water and soil conservation.
Green manure is not only for large-scale farmers. This centuries-old soil enhancement technique can be used in any size garden to reap the benefits listed earlier. To begin adding green manure to your gardening repertoire, start planning in advance so you can be ready to plant earlier than the regular growing season. Planting as soon as possible in spring is necessary so the green manure has time to grow adequately. The first step is to choose a type of green manure to plant. Our local extension agent recommends planting oats, spring rye or clover in our area.
To plant the seeds use the same technique as for seeding a lawn. Prepare the garden area by working up the soil slightly, broadcast the seed, and gently rake them in. The raking will help to ensure the seeds are contacting the soil and are protected from birds. Once the green manure has begun to grow these plants will be low maintenance. They require only basic care to flourish. However, it is important to monitor your green manure so the top growth does not get out of control and tilling occurs at the optimal time.
Green manure will be ready for tilling once it has begun to flower or in the case of grains, the seed heads have emerged. In our area, this will be around mid-May. Prior to tilling, plants can be mowed with a lawn mower or weed trimmer if the top growth is dense and tangled. If this is done, wait one to two days so the freshly cut plant matter has time to dry a little, but don't let it become too dry as the nutrient effectiveness will decrease. Once the cuttings have begun to shrink incorporate them into the soil. This will prevent taller plants from interfering with the tilling process.
Tilling the green manure into the soil is an important part of the process. Depending on the size of your garden, you can till by hand using a shovel or use a motorized tiller. Ideally, the young plants need to remain in the top 6- 8 inches of soil. This depth will encourage a more rapid decomposition because of the increased number of micro-organisms to breakdown plant tissues. Other factors that will influence the rate of plant decomposition include soil temperature and moisture. Lower soil temperatures and dry or waterlogged soils will slow micro-organism activity. This will lead to decreased rates of plant decomposition and nutrient release.
Once the green manure is incorporated into the soil, wait 2-3 weeks for the decomposition process to be well under way. This will help in maximizing the amount of nitrogen in the soil and provide an optimal environment for vegetable or flower seeds to germinate. Plant seeds as usual, care for them (minus the fertilizer) and watch them thrive. Yields from gardens using green manure are reported to be similar to yields from chemically fertilized gardens.
Green manure is holistic soil care for any size garden. Using green manure offers more opportunities to garden, enhances soil in a multitude of healthy ways, and means no more chemical fertilizers. When planning to use green manure, keep in mind the cost of seeds. Seeds for plants used as green manure can be more expensive. However, you will off-set the cost of seeds by not purchasing chemical fertilizers and creating a healthier environment for everyone. The latter is priceless.
Further Reading:
Great article - thanks!
Written in November 2008