'Green manure' seeds available now
Winter tares + winter grazing rye
Grow over winter - dig in in Spring. Can also sow in Spring from late Winter to early Summer.
This year, we are selling both Tares (Vicia sativa) and Winter Grazing Rye (Secale cereale).
Tares is nitrogen fixing, holds nutrients from being washed away, and its roots improve soil structure. It may be planted to the end of October in southern areas, and does well on heavy soils, with a dense top growth to dig in in Spring.
Rye has a dense root system, and is an efficient 'taker-up' and holder of soil nutrients, and its roots improve soil structure. It may be planted to the end of November in southern areas, does well on heavy soils.
Either of these 'green manure' crops may be planted on their own, but they may also be planted together and complement each other.
By bulk purchasing, we are able to offer the Tares at £1.40 for half a kilo (1.1 lb) - which is a fraction (half or even a third) of the common retail price, and (because of increased quantity) even cheaper than last year!
The experience of our members is that seed keeps well if you don't use it all at once (store dry and cool).
Available now from the Trading Shed.
Given that the autumn sowing season is limited, if you would like to get hold of seed before the next Trading Shed opening, some other arrangement may be possible - contact me (Bob Hare) on tel: 020 8348 2710 or mobile: 07870 157 703 or e-mail: mail@roberthare.org
How to use Green Manure Seed
Sow in autumn by broadcasting or in closely-spaced rows, and raking into the soil surface to depth of 2-3 cm for both Tares and Rye. It helps to soak tares seed in water for 24 hours before sowing (but don't leave longer). Dig in the crop in Spring.
Tares can be sown in Autumn from late Summer till end-Oct, and in Spring from late winter to early Summer. Winter Grazing Rye can be sown from late Summer to end-Nov. You will get the best results from sowing earlier than later in these suggested time-frames.
Half a kilo is enough for 20-25 square metres which is about a fifth of a half-size plot (5 poles = 126 square metres in area).
For a half-size (5 pole) plot, with a third of the plot 'green manured' (i.e. a 3-year rotation), you would need 1 kilo each year.
