Legumes as green manure. The best green manure plants - fertilizers for the garden

siderates are becoming an increasingly popular way to obtain organic fertilizers. And under certain conditions, they completely replace manure, humus.

siderates. Three crops of legumes - a full dose of manure!

Our soil needs exactly. Mineral fertilizers, of course, increase productivity, but only in the current year after application and, moreover, have a detrimental effect on the microflora of the fertile layer. So that optimal choice Still organic.

siderates This is not a modern trend. Since ancient times, people have known green fertilizers, which almost completely replace humus, silt, and peat. In China, India, they used 3 thousand years ago. Not only that, in modern conditions getting manure is very problematic, and green manure can specifically help out gardeners.

  • Green manure is undoubtedly cheaper than manure, provided that you do not have any liveliness available, green manure is a great way out, and not expensive.
  • There is no question of transportation. Manure transportation requires both appropriate transport and very strong working hands (or special mechanisms for large areas)
  • Green manure does not contain weed seeds, which are present in abundance in manure, especially in fresh manure. Moreover, green manure is able to suppress, displace weeds already present on the site. This moment is especially relevant for gardens affected by perennial weeds, which are very difficult to fight.
  • Siderates do not contribute to the spread of the bear. She just loves well-fertilized areas with manure and humus. And then you have to lead
  • Many green manure crops inhibit the development of pathogenic bacteria in the soil. Possesses such properties, etc. (see table)
  • deep root system many green manure plants improve the connection between the subsoil and the upper fertile layer. This moment is especially important in terms of hard-to-reach forms of phosphorus and potassium. For example, it easily absorbs such elements in forms inaccessible to other plants.
  • The remains of the root system after green manure not only improve the air and moisture exchange of the soil, but also create favorable conditions for beneficial soil microorganisms.

And the effectiveness of green manure is high - three crops of legumes on the plot is really equivalent to a full dose of humus ! But for successful seeding, you need to take into account some factors:

  • your climate,
  • your soil

The choice of a siderat plant is already made on the basis of this information. And with a table:

Culture - green manure Seeding time Vegetation cycle (time to incorporation) \ Soil type Features of the culture when grown on green manure
Anytime, spring, summer, early autumn. Optimal - at the beginning of spring, at the first exit to the site

Undemanding culture, but does not grow well on acidic and waterlogged soils

July-August, after harvesting potatoes, early cabbage, green crops. Or early spring, as soon as possible to go to the garden

Close up in the phase of gray beans, the growing season is approximately 120-135 days.

It loves acidic soils, it grows weakly on neutral and alkaline soils.

Improves acidic soils, penetrates the root very deeply and loosens dense soils
You can sow during the entire growing season, from early spring to late autumn, and leave crops before winter. Optimal - June-July, you can after the selected early potatoes

Any soil, has a beneficial effect on acidic soils

Suppresses wireworm and pathogenic bacteria
Only in early spring

Close up with a well-formed green mass.

Undemanding to soils, grows on any problematic soils

Perfectly loosens the soil, supplies potassium
Can be sown in spring, but optimally - in late August - early September after potatoes. More details in the article.

Optimal - when building up sufficient green mass, avoiding heading.

It grows well on podzolic, sandy, peat-bog, heavy clay soils. More high yields- on fertile black soil

Suppresses weeds
Anytime, spring, summer, early autumn. Optimally - in the beginning of spring.

Depending on the weather conditions.

Undemanding culture, prefers neutral soil

Enriches the soil with nitrogen
At any time, from early spring and throughout the summer. Optimally - in the beginning of spring.
Optimally - in the beginning of spring.

Plants of the 2nd year of life enter the budding phase at the end of May. In the first year - in July-beginning of August.

Does not tolerate acidic and saline soils

Enriches the soil with nitrogen, the root penetrates deep into the soil

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Regular fertilization of the soil in the country is the key to a rich and high-quality harvest. The introduction of dressings containing nutrients is the duty of every gardener. But some have a negative attitude towards chemical fertilizers, believing that, by introducing them into the soil, they cause great harm to nature. That is why more and more gardeners are using a different technology to improve the quality of the soil. Green manures for the garden are plants that will help restore the soil and re-saturate it with nutrients.

Green manure is a certain group of plant organisms, crops, the purpose of which is to enrich the soil with organic substances and nutrients necessary for the green inhabitants of greenhouses and garden beds. At the same time, this group of plants significantly improves the structure of the soil. In another way, green manure can be called green fertilizers that help restore the soil after growing on it. different cultures.

Reference! The name "siderate" comes from the Latin word sidera, which translates as "star, which gave strength to the sky."

Organic and at the same time natural farming is now becoming more and more popular, and sideration is one of the key points in this area. If we consider green manure from the point of view of botany, then these are plants that are able to grow green mass very quickly. Then they are embedded in the soil, where they safely decompose. The roots of these crops, which have loosened the soil well, rot, leaving voids in it, due to which the soil turns into a loose and airy mass. Based on this, you can easily figure out and understand why green manure is needed.

Why are siderates needed?

Green manures perform a whole range of different functions useful for plants and soil. It is through green manure that you can maximize the quality of the soil. True, the process is not fast.

The main advantages and functions of green manure:


Green manure also improves the permeability of the soil, allows moisture to be better retained, but at the same time provides good aeration. Sowing these plants is one of the stages of organizing proper crop rotation in the country.

Green manure loosens the soil and improves its structure - overgrown roots leave numerous tubules, thereby improving the water / air regime of the soil

Sowing dates

Sowing green manure is quite simple, but this will be discussed below. For now, let's find out when they need to be planted on suburban area. Interestingly, green manure can be sown in spring, summer, and even autumn. Let's figure out in what situations how to act.

In the spring, green manure is sown, as a rule, before the start of sowing the main crop - for example, tomatoes. They are hardy and are not afraid of frost (and some - for example, phacelia - even require early dates sowing). But during their growth and development, they will already have time to prepare the soil for growing the main plants. AT spring time Green manure is usually sown as soon as the positive temperature outside is established. When the time comes to sow the main crop, the soil, along with green helpers, is dug up.

On a note! You can go the other way: with a flat cutter, the green manure stems are cut a little deeper than the top level of the soil. The main plants are planted in the ground, and the green manure stems are used as mulch. You can also sow the main crops directly among the green helpers, the stems of which are cut after 2-3 weeks at a level of 5 cm from the soil surface. As the stems grow back, the green manure is trimmed again.

Usually planted in spring white mustard, phacelia, vetch, rapeseed.

In summer, green manure can also be grown in the garden. This usually happens in the beds where the first one has already been collected. early harvest. Approximately July-August. Usually rapeseed, mustard, beans are sown. Plants will have time to grow to a sufficient size before autumn to be embedded in the ground before the first frost. also in summer period green manure is sown under trees and shrubs.

In autumn, green manure is usually sown, which should prepare the soil for crops planted in early spring. Before planting the main plants, siderats can not be dug into the ground, but left - let them grow together. The main thing is to cut the green manure stems in time so that they do not shade the plantings. Sowing is carried out immediately after harvesting the main vegetable crops, and mowing - by the time the flowers appear. Usually it is rye and mustard - the latter has time to grow and then goes under the snow. Phacelia, vetch, lupine and rape are also sown.

Mustard is an excellent green manure

Main condition right choice the time of sowing green manure is to allow them to grow a little until they are embedded in the ground or pruned.

We sow green manure

Sowing green manure is easy and simple - they do not need to provide any special conditions.

Step 1. On a dug up and loosened bed, from which the crop has already been harvested, small grooves are made with the help of a flat cutter. The direction of the "tracks" is perpendicular to the long side of the beds. The depth of the grooves is no more than 7 cm.

Step 2 Seeds of green manure (for example, mustard) are collected by hand from the bag and scattered thickly over the garden. You can try to get into the grooves.

Step 3 Parallel to the long side of the bed, the soil is carefully leveled with a flat cutter. The seeds are covered with a layer of earth.

That's all science. After that, the bed can be watered with water from a watering can and wait for seedlings. Sometimes people simplify this technology even more - they simply scatter green manure seeds on the surface of the soil and walk along it with a rake.

Video - Siderates in the garden

Green manure plow

Plowing of green manure is carried out in order to improve the structure of the soil, enrich it with nutrients, and increase the moisture capacity. This procedure is usually carried out a couple of weeks before sowing the main crops. The most important thing is to be in time until the siderats themselves begin to bloom. Also, do not allow lignification of the stems, compaction of the roots.

But now agronomists have come to the conclusion that there is no need to plow green manure - in general, this is even a rather harmful procedure. Studies have shown that during plowing, the soil structure only worsens, and the microorganisms necessary for plants die. Therefore, it is now customary to cut green manure with a flat cutter (depth - no more than 5 cm from the soil surface) and lay it out on the ground. To speed up the decomposition process, they are covered with mulch from above. Gradually, the stems will turn into compost, releasing a huge amount of nitrogen, and the roots in the soil will rot and turn into humus.

Note! The most harmful is the plowing of green manure, which are sown before winter. They lose about 80% of their beneficial properties.

Video - What to do with green manure before winter

Types of green manure

There are a great many green manure plants. These are, as a rule, annuals, as perennials are more difficult to process. What crops do experienced gardeners usually use?

Table. Siderates by families.

Familycultures

Vika, soybeans, peas, lentils, lupins, mouse peas, alfalfa. These types of plants have special nodules on their roots - clusters or, rather, colonies of bacteria that help accumulate nitrogen. They are called "nitrogen fixers". If you grow three crops of legumes, then you can say with confidence that as much organic matter has got into the soil as a full dose of manure gives. These plants cope well with frost, grow quickly, and have a good effect on the soil.

Radish, rapeseed, mustard, colza. They are sown in August or July and left, together with the tops and fruits, to rot in the soil. True, only those who have a lot of extra seeds decide to leave them. The only disadvantage of these plants is the inability to use where other Cruciferous plants will be sown.

Oats, rye, barley, wheat. These crops are hardy in relation to weather changes, easy to work with, easy to sprout. Sowed in autumn.

On a note! Sometimes weeds can also be green manure. For example, woodlice or woodlice are small green grass, the "scourge" of many summer residents. But in fact, it is harmless and is an excellent green manure.

Mokritsa is also an excellent green manure

Let's take a closer look at some of the green manures. This will allow you to make a choice in favor of a particular plant and decide which one will grow in your country house and improve the soil on it.

Radish, belonging to the Cruciferous family, is unpretentious and grows easily on heavy soils. clay soils. This annual has a powerful root system that can penetrate to a depth of 2 meters! Easily extracts nutrients from the deep layers of the soil, turns them into those that can be absorbed by other plants. Radish is also a phytosanitary - it protects plants from scab and other diseases. Usually sown after harvesting early vegetables. The tops often remain on the surface of the soil for the whole winter and are embedded in it only in the spring.

Buckwheat (buckwheat family) is a plant suitable for saturating the soil with phosphorus, organic matter, and potassium. It is usually grown on heavy soils. She has a well-developed powerful root system, which has a beneficial effect on the soil structure. Used during spring or summer planting green manure.

White mustard is an annual of the Cruciferous family. Perhaps the most popular green manure, which every fan of natural fertilizers is familiar with. In its properties it is very similar to radish, but more capricious in relation to growing conditions, while it ripens faster, so they are planted 2 weeks later than radish. Mustard is rich in potassium, phosphorus, and there is a lot of nitrogen in it. The root system is able to penetrate the soil to a depth of 3 m, due to which the soil drains well and becomes loose.

Phacelia belongs to the Aquatic family and can be planted in front of any horticultural crops. It is sown both in autumn and summer after the first harvest of vegetables. Phacelia has a positive effect on soil acidity - it makes acidic soil neutral. Due to this feature, it expels some types of weeds from the site. The stems of this crop can be used for soil mulching and composting. Phacelia can not stand nematodes, wireworms - they disappear from the place where this culture lives. It is also able to prevent some dangerous diseases, so it can be planted between rows of main plants.

On a note! Phacelia blooms with very fragrant flowers and will easily attract pollinating insects - bumblebees and bees.

Green manures can be combined during cultivation: for example, a good duet is obtained from vetch and oats. Together they will ensure the entry into the ground of almost all needed by plants nutrient elements.

In a greenhouse, in order to improve the condition of the soil, the soil is often simply completely replaced. However, sometimes it is enough to apply just a few years so that you no longer have to do such laborious work.

Despite the fact that growing green manure is easy, there are still a few rules that are important to follow.

  1. Siderat can never be the predecessor of a plant that belongs to the same family as it. For example, radish is not planted before cabbage.
  2. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all the possible types of green manure and choose those that are suitable specifically for your case.
  3. Do not forget that only seedlings can be planted on a bed with teenage green manure. If it is decided to sow crops with seeds, then green manure is mowed.
  4. Green manure mowing is carried out until the moment of bud formation and flowering, and hardening of the stem is also not allowed.
  5. Regular watering will help to form humus faster in the absence of precipitation.
  6. Siderates should be alternated - it is important to follow the principles of crop rotation.

All of the above is basic information that is useful to read (and put into practice) for a beginner in the horticultural world. The main thing - remember that at one time great benefit it will not be noticeable, but with regular use of green manure, the soil in the garden plot can be changed beyond recognition.

It is possible to increase the fertility of the land in the garden without special costs. Green manure plants will help us with this - plants grown for the sake of green mass. Especially among gardeners, crops are valued that can grow a lot of greenery in a short time, have developed roots and have a detrimental effect on pests.

In order for green manure crops to be beneficial, they must be used correctly:

  • Plant in early spring or fall after harvest.
  • Green manure seeds are sown in the spring in the soil 2 months before planting the main garden crop.
  • We mow the plants during the period of bud emergence, when the content of microelements in their tissues is maximum. It will take about 2 weeks to rot the biomass.
  • At autumn planting siderates can not be mowed.
  • We do not dig up the soil where green manure was planted. Large roots can be cut with a flat cutter, long roots will rot and improve soil structure.
  • We close the green mass to a depth of 5 cm; If the weather is dry, water the beds.
  • Densely planted green manure, growing, drown out the weeds.
  • Good to plant nearby different types green manure.

Commonly grown as green manure:

  • Legumes (lupine, vetch, peas, beans, sweet clover, soy).
  • Cruciferous (mustard, rapeseed, oilseed radish).
  • Cereals (rye, oats, barley).
  • Buckwheat (buckwheat).

Legumes enrich the soil with nitrogen and phosphorus. On their roots in nodules live specific bacteria that can absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it into a bound state. Legumes loosen the soil and clear it of nematodes.

Grasses grow in any soil. They have a developed root system, they form a voluminous green mass. Cereal plants improve the water permeability of the soil, enrich it with potassium and nitrogen. Densely planted plants suppress weeds. Grasses grow well in acidic soils.

Cruciferous green manure during the growing season release essential substances that have a detrimental effect on pathogens and pests. Plants can be buried in the ground at any stage of the growing season, they grow quickly, forming a lush green mass. These green manures do not tolerate acidic soils. It is recommended to plant cruciferous plants along with legumes, they will convert phosphorus into a compound easily available to plants.

Buckwheat green manure is useful to plant on depleted soil. They will bring phosphorus, potassium and organic matter into it.

The list of siderates is supplemented by individual representatives flora- phacelia and nails. They form an easily decomposed green mass and long thin roots.

Video: what is green manure fertilizer, how does it work

The most common green manure crops

Of the variety of plants that can be used as green manure, we offer the most commonly used on garden plots. Their seeds can be easily purchased at the store, growing will not be a hassle.

Blue lupine contains the alkaloid lupinine, which helps rid the soil of harmful microorganisms. Its powerful roots can reach a depth of 2 meters and extract from the deep layers of the soil. useful elements(potassium, phosphorus).

It is useful to sow lupine before planting nightshade (potatoes and tomatoes), cruciferous (cabbage, radish, turnip, radish), rosaceous (strawberries, strawberries). Preference should be given to annual lupins, they develop rapidly.

Lupine prefers slightly acidic and neutral soils. Sow seeds in the spring at the rate of 20 g per 1 sq. m. Mow the stems when the plant begins to lay buds. The root is cut with a flat cutter. Lupine fights nematodes, potato scab and root rot.

Vetch, a seed pea, often grows in areas like wild plant. This is leguminous plant- a good siderat. The plant has a long root, it is able to extract nutrients from great depths.

In height, peas can grow up to 2 meters. Flowers appear in June, seeds can be collected on wild vetch in autumn.

In spring, vetch is sown in the garden before planting tomatoes and peppers. Close it in the soil a month after sowing, when the plant grows to 15 cm.

This plant is one of the best green manure. Essential oils contained in mustard leaves repel pests:

  • wireworm;
  • slugs;
  • thrips.

The plant fights pathogens:

  • late blight;
  • root rot;
  • scab of potatoes.

Mustard seeds are sown in early spring or autumn, after harvest. For 1 sq. m will need 3 g of seeds.

A frost-resistant plant is planted in late August - early September. Shoots will have time to appear before the onset of frost, and in the spring the plant will continue to grow and drown out the weeds.

Mow greens 3 weeks before planting vegetables. The roots of rye contain a special substance that repels nematodes, it is useful to plant it after potatoes.

Oats saturate the earth with potassium and phosphorus. Its roots loosen dense soil and are able to protect light soils from being washed out. The plant is planted on soils of all types.

The plant does not tolerate frost and is sensitive to lack of moisture. The best time for sowing - early spring, when the snow melts, and early autumn, the first half of September. We plant the grains into the ground by 3 - 4 cm, per 1 sq. m will need 10 g.

Oat roots contain a substance - a fungicide that copes well with pathogens of fungal and bacterial diseases. Oats - good predecessor tomatoes, eggplant, strawberries.

Buckwheat is able to extract useful elements from the poorest soil due to its ability to secrete special acids from its roots. The root system of the plant grows rapidly and suppresses the growth of weeds.

Seeds should be sown in warm soil. Buckwheat is often planted between rows in summer.

After buckwheat, all crops can be planted, except for representatives of the buckwheat family. This green manure will help get rid of wheatgrass. Substances secreted by buckwheat roots inhibit the growth of a malicious weed.

It grows well on all types of soils, clay, peat, sandy, rocky. It is unpretentious, grows quickly, tolerates drought and cold well.

Sow phacelia in early spring, when the snow melts. Planting density - 2 g of seeds per 1 sq. m. Pre-winter planting will protect the soil from freezing.

Phacelia normalizes acidic soil, repels wireworms, fights fungal diseases. After this green manure, any garden plants grow well.

Marigolds, or calendula, are often grown for their sake. beautiful flowers but these unpretentious plants- good green manure, it is useful to plant them before planting carrots, beets, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, eggplants, onions and garlic.

They are afraid of her smell Colorado beetle, wireworm, caterpillars and nematodes. Marigolds cleanse the earth of harmful microorganisms that cause late blight and fusarium wilt.

As a green manure, calendula is sown in the summer. In a month and a half, the plants will grow by 15 cm, they are mowed down and the green mass is buried in the ground. During the winter, it will have time to decompose and create favorable conditions for earthworms.

The best green manure for the garden

When choosing green manure seeds for planting, pay attention to the timing of their sowing. In order not to lose the crop, consider the compatibility of green manure with the main crop.

Table: when to sow and when to bury green manure

Name When to sow When to bury
May beginning After 3 - 4 weeks
Spring, autumn (September - October) After 30 - 40 days
Spring Summer After 30 days, when flowers appear
In the beginning of May After 8 weeks, when buds appear
August Before flowering, approximately 1.5-2 months after the emergence of mass seedlings.
In the beginning of May After 40 days
Autumn (August - October) After 4 - 5 months
Spring - autumn After 35 - 40 days

Table: green manure and vegetable crops

Which green manure is best suited for acidic soil

Majority horticultural crops prefer soils with a neutral and slightly alkaline reaction. Heavy clay soils, as a rule, have an acidic reaction. They do not warm up well and retain water. Green manure will help get rid of weeds and pests, improve soil structure and bring it closer to neutral.

For ennoblement acidic soil use:

  • cereal crops (rye, oats);
  • lupine;
  • phacelia.

Green manure grown on the site can improve the composition and structure of the soil and improve it. Plants are unpretentious, seeds are cheap. Regular sowing of green manure crops and incorporation of biomass into the soil increases its fertility.



The fact that fertile land should not be left unsown, bare, was known even in antiquity. And today, experienced gardeners are well aware that the land left open even for a couple of weeks begins to become depleted, change into the worst side its structure. Weeds also feel at ease here, pulling out everything useful from the soil and sowing their seeds into the soil. Special cultivated plants, which are sown with temporarily empty plots in order to enrich the soil, are called green manure. They have different purposes, properties and their secrets of agricultural technology. Let's talk about this in detail.

What are they for and what do they provide?

Many gardeners ask a reasonable question - why plant something on fertile land that does not produce a crop? The answer is simple - to increase the yield of what will be planted on this plot later, avoiding many problems, such as weed control. And the need for ready-made purchased fertilizers is reduced significantly thanks to them. So what is their use?

  • The growth of weeds is suppressed.
  • The soil is protected from adverse weather conditions - drying, overheating or, conversely, cooling.
  • They prevent the reproduction of pests and resist infections, pathogens.
  • They prevent caking of the soil, loosen it thanks to the fibrous and branched developed root system.
  • Natural and water air exchange improves, the soil becomes more structured.
  • Prevent the washing out of the fertile layer and the necessary nutrients.
  • Protect from erosion.
  • They contribute to the removal of useful trace elements to the upper arable layers of the earth. With their help, it is possible to restore fertility even to "dead" lands.
  • They enrich the soil with valuable elements that are produced in the process of life, primarily nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
  • Reduce soil acidity.
  • Their underground part is a nutritious raw material for worms and beneficial microorganisms.

What plants are green manure

AT organic farming green manure plants are considered to be plants that can quickly gain green mass from above, and from below - enrich the soil and subsequently form high-quality, useful humus. They have a strong root system that inhibits weeds and promotes soil aeration and improvement of its quality characteristics.

For the most part, these are annuals, but legume perennials also belong to this group, giving a voluminous and fast-growing green mass. In autumn, cold-resistant cereals are used for sederation. The most used plants for this will be considered below.

Seasonal sideration

As a rule, these plants are planted either before sowing the main crops, or after they are harvested. In some cases, joint plantings with vegetables (cabbage, tomatoes) are acceptable. Some vegetable crops themselves are green manure, for example, beans. Therefore, after harvesting, it is recommended not to pull it out with the root, but to cut it off. above-ground part, leaving a mossy root in the ground to aerate the soil and saturate it with nitrogen.

Spring sideration

It is carried out in early spring in areas intended for planting heat-loving demanding crops with later dates - tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplants, late cabbage etc. In order not to leave the land open until mid-late May, the beds are sown with fast-growing green manure crops immediately after the snow melts and the weather permits.

After about 12-14 days, the green mass is cut off, leaving the roots in the ground, used for mulching or laid in compost pit. There should be a time gap of about 2 weeks between mowing the "tops" and planting seedlings. This will allow soil microorganisms to sufficiently decompose what is left in the ground. The process of root biodegradation can be accelerated by using special EM preparations. They include yeast and special types of fungi and bacteria.

Important! It should be remembered that green manure plants do not sprout as cheerfully and amicably in spring as in the hot season. Considering natural process growth, it is recommended to plant them about 3 weeks before the planned planting of the main vegetables.

Summer

Some horticultural crops are harvested early, such as radishes, early cabbage, bow on feather, etc. In place of the vacated rows, it is advisable to plant our green helpers with the most highly developed root system in order to quickly restore the soil structure. Perfect for this, for example, lupine. He is able to make the soil porous and loose again in just a week or two after sowing.

If the site is empty for the entire growing season, this does not mean that you need to grow one thing all summer, it will also bring little benefit and lead to neglect. Crops need to be changed wisely. For example, plant vetch first in the spring, replace it with alfalfa in the middle of the season, and sow rapeseed closer to autumn. This will make it possible to comprehensively enrich the soil in one year.

Summer quickly harvested vegetables are best planted every year on different plots, taking into account the optimal crop rotation and favorable neighborhood. Gradually, year after year, by planting fertilizer plants in their place, it is possible to improve the humus of the entire backyard plot allotted for the garden.

autumn

It aims to prepare for the cold season, preserve the soil structure, protect against freezing and erosion, and general health improvement. This period is characterized by the planting of low-lying, ground cover plants, which will create a special layer between the soil and snow, and in snowless frosts will protect it from erosion. Perfect for this purpose and cereals. Planting is done immediately after the crop has been harvested. This is very auspicious time for their development, since the earth still retains heat, while the air is already filled with coolness.

When real frosts come, the planted dies, but a protective vegetation cover remains on top, and worms and beneficial microorganisms take up work in the ground. By spring, all this organic matter has time to overheat, and all that remains is to dig up the beds and start early spring work and planting.

The maximum effect is given not by monocultural sideration, but by the use of ready-made complex material, including seeds of different species.

Types and their features

In total, in this group there are about three hundred plant species with their own unique properties. Take into account the features of the interaction of each with other plants and soil. Of these, it is worth highlighting the three main ones, these are cruciferous, cereals and legumes, and talk about them in more detail.

Legumes

Are the best source valuable for all types of soil nitrogen. Loams, heavy clays and swampy peat soils are especially in need of it.

This group includes:

  • winter and spring vetch;
  • beans (fodder species);
  • lentils (any);
  • clover;
  • beans (especially asparagus, giving the volume of green mass);
  • peas;
  • alfalfa;
  • lupine, etc.

The advantages of this group include frost resistance, especially in some wintering species. Many of them are suitable for winter sowing.

cereals

This is the most large group green manure, the most popular of which are barley, rye, oats, wheat. They are also highly cold resistant. They almost completely block the development of weeds, excellently structure the soil and are a valuable source of many elements necessary for fertile soil, primarily potassium and phosphorus.

Each of them has its own distinctive features and site requirements.

  • Oats prefer to be planted on acidic soil, but they do not like salt marshes and sandy areas.
  • Rye dries out the ground, so it is preferable to choose swampy areas for sowing it.
  • Barley, for example, readily grows on dry soils, making them more moist and structural. Not afraid of drought and summer heat.

cruciferous

They are especially valued by farmers for their ability to repel pests (wireworms, slugs, etc.) and put up a barrier to infections. The best of them are mustard, winter superice, rapeseed.

None special care they are not required, they are undemanding to growing conditions and are very tenacious in adverse conditions. They are especially valued for their ability to turn “heavy” substances into more easily digestible ones, to make the earth light and organically rich.

It is interesting! The main value of green manure is their roots, in which all the benefits are concentrated, and the "tops" serve to give the "roots" all the useful things that they can take from the environment.

Landing Rules

The main rule for choosing varieties and types of fertilizing crops is that they and the plants sown after them belong to different families. The logic here is obvious - they must eat various microelements, otherwise the helpers will pull out exactly what is needed for the future harvest from the soil.

In addition, representatives of the same family have a tendency to the same diseases, so it is likely that favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microflora or even a ready-made infection will remain on the plot.

In order to block the way to weeds as much as possible, green manure is sown not in rows, but in bulk.

Compatibility of different crops with green manure

For convenience, you can use the compatibility table.

Mustard Lupine oats Watercress Rape Soya Lentils Phacelia Buckwheat radish Clover Calendula sweet clover Vika Alfalfa
tomatoes + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Potato + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
cucumbers + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Beet + + + + + + +
Eggplant + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Peas + + + + + + +
vegetable marrow + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Radish + + + + + + + + + + +
Garlic + + + + + + + +
Sweet pepper + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Cabbage + + + + + + + + + + +
Onion on a turnip + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Cleaning rules

For the process to bring maximum benefit, it is important to complete it correctly. To do this, we take into account the following nuances.


Do not remove in the winter those sedative plants that were sown in the fall. Let them stay in the ground until spring, this will replace the autumn plowing and give a lot of other benefits.

The best green manure

Consider the most popular types of these irreplaceable crops, their advantages and cultivation features.

Lupine

It can, perhaps, be put in first place among the "improvers" of the garden ecosystem. One of the oldest land structurizers in the history of their cultural cultivation. Belongs to the legume family, especially useful for soils depleted in nitrogen.

A feature of its root system is that, along with its vastness, it also grows in length, significantly expanding the arable layer and reaching useful material from great depths, not from above.

The best time to plant lupine is early spring. Unlike other helper plants, a row sowing method is used. Seeds are very fond of moisture, therefore, before sowing, the plot is not only thoroughly watered, but grooves are made in it to retain moisture. The distance between them is approximately 15 cm, which is convenient for putting seeds into these grooves so that about 7 cm remains between the bushes.

The green mass is cut two months later (the reference point is the appearance of buds). Unlike other green manure, it is recommended not to leave lupine grass on top, but to close it 6-8 cm into the ground. This is due to the peculiarity of its root system.

After lupine, peas, beans, beans, as well as garlic and beets are not planted. The best followers are peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, etc. especially potatoes.

Lupine is an excellent source of nitrogen for fruit trees. For this, the whole plants, together with the roots, are buried in trunk circle. This will provide the tree with nitrogen for the entire fruiting season.

Lupine saturates with nitrogen not only the immediate planting area (the indicators are impressive - about 200 kg of nitrogen per 1 hectare), but also enriches the nearby soil horizons with nitrogenous fertilizers.

Phacelia

The main advantage is suitability for any trace planted culture, without exception, due to belonging to the Gimlet family. You can plant both before and after any greens, vegetables or cereals. Phacelia is also used in joint landings. In addition, it is very attractive to bees, thanks to which there is a friendly pollination of everything growing on the site.

Lush bunches are green (which is the reason for the name) grow from one root to record time and have very attractive appearance. Due to this, in addition to the main function, they can serve as a temporary flower bed.

Benefits comparable to cow dung. A centner of phacelia tops is equivalent to 1 ton of humus. In addition, biomass matures in much more short time and is cheaper than organic animal origin.

Phacelia also has an exclusive advantage among green fertilizers - the ability to attract insects that eat entomophage pests (). Many experienced gardeners they make a protective barrier from phacelia on the site, thanks to which leafworms, aphids, codling moths and other crop-damaging insects disappear from it.

The smell of phacelia (fungicides emitted by it) is not tolerated by locusts, there are no wireworms in the vicinity of its plantings.

Getting seeds

But phacelia also has a big minus - its seeds are expensive. Their price can offset the benefits received, so it makes sense to get them yourself. A plot for seed sowing is chosen in an uncultivated place to avoid shedding on arable land. The stems are cut when more than half of the spikelet has covered the flowers.

Then they are dried with good access to air and low humidity and they plead. The resulting seed material is in no way inferior to the store.

Rye

An excellent bushy grass with the following advantages:

  • The relative difficulty of plowing and working due to the strength of the stalk that clings to the plow. When processing the site, you often have to clean the plowshare.
  • Dries out the soil. It is highly undesirable to plant near trees.

white mustard

From sowing to plowing time is 5-8 weeks. The term depends on the weather, because in the heat the stems tend to harden quickly. Sowing is carried out randomly. An exception is the in-line method in order to protect against pests. The consumption rate of seeds is 5-7 g per 1 sq. m. It is undesirable to thicken, it can lead to rotting of the roots.

Very cold-resistant green manure, which can be planted several times in one season, including the last time in winter, but so that the tops have time to grow. Then it remains to rot under the snow, releasing heat and enriching the humus.

It is important not to miss the moment when the stems begin to harden. Cutting must be done before the appearance of the first ovaries of buds.

oil radish

It is unique in its properties to build up the ground vegetative part. For 1.5 months. It can increase by 4-5 times! In addition to being a biomass supplier, it is valued for its excellent anti-weed properties, resisting even the most stubborn of them, such as creeping wheatgrass.

This is truly a natural healer of the garden. Cleans the area from diseases (cabbage club, nematodes, etc.) and pests. If you cultivate oilseed radish for several seasons in a row, the garden will become healthy.

It is better to plant on soft fresh plowing at the rate of 300 g of seeds per 1 weave.

A month later, the thickest stems are removed, and the rest is excised with a shovel and plowed.

Vika (mouse peas)

Good as an intermediate planting, for example, before planting seedlings of peppers, tomatoes, etc., because it has a short growing season. Zucchini, squash, pumpkin, cabbage, radishes, potatoes, cucumbers and greens for quick consumption give especially rich harvests “by vetch”. Often included in complex mixtures.

For 1 weave, 1.5 kg of seeds will be required, which are not recommended to be planted deeper than 3 cm - the sprout may not break through.

oats

AT this capacity is used less frequently than rye, which has no basis. Oats have it all positive characteristics rye, and some of them even come out ahead. For example, in terms of unpretentiousness - it will grow on clay, and on peat, and on acidic podzolic soil, gradually improving their structure and raising fertility.

You can plant oats immediately after you can go into the garden after winter. Neither dirt nor cold can stop him. Moreover, it is in such conditions that it sprouts and grows best.

Oats are the best green manure for potatoes!

Potatoes in this row should be highlighted in particular, since they are planted large areas, which requires labor-intensive plowing efforts. Green fertilizers allow the practice of no-till farming, which saves effort, time and, last but not least, money.

An excellent crop rotation gives oats on a potato plot. It is planted in furrows early spring without general digging of the site. If grass has already grown on the site, it is not required to remove it, the grooves can be made by only slightly pushing it apart. Subsequently, it will become part of the humus.

When the time comes for planting potatoes, the biomass is cut without harvesting. For potatoes, small indentations are made, which are then sprinkled with earth. Natural oat mulch inhibits weed growth and shields shallow-lying tubers from sunlight to prevent greening.

Digging such potatoes is easy and fast, it turns out clean and large.

After harvesting the root crops, the plot is re-sown with oats. After several years of such a crop rotation, the structure of the land becomes much better, and yields are consistently high.

With a competent approach to the use of green manure, you can not only get higher yields with less effort and money, but also turn your own crop in just a few seasons. household plot into a complete ecosystem.

Video review of green manure sowing

What plants are called green manure: these are industrial crops that are involved in crop rotation to increase soil fertility, improve its structure and improve it. These include some legumes (clover, lupine, peas, alfalfa, vetch) and cruciferous (mustard, rapeseed, oilseed radish), as well as a number of grains (rye, buckwheat, oats).

Can be used as green manure honey plants attracting bees and other pollinating insects to the garden. For such a bee and bumblebee “pasture”, marigolds, calendula and especially phacelia are sown. Both rapeseed and mustard are also excellent honey plants, not to mention buckwheat.

And now we will consider what green manure is for and what they give for fertility and soil enrichment.

These plants need to be sown for a number of reasons:

  • useful properties of green manure: in a short time accumulating a large green mass, makes it possible to increase the level of soil fertility. Green manure increases the content of humus in the soil, which serves as a reserve of nutrients for plants and beneficial microorganisms. And those honey plants for bees and bumblebees, in turn, have a beneficial effect on plants and their productivity;
  • many plants grown as green manure also help control pests. Phacelia, for example, is considered effective tool control of codling moth, leafworm, wireworm and nematodes. Medvedki, slugs, larvae of the May beetle and wireworm do not like mustard. If the beds are mulched with nettles, then slugs and snails will never appear there;
  • green manure occupy areas vacated after harvesting, or any temporarily empty areas. In no case do not leave the earth to "walk", it is very quickly overgrown with weeds that consume nutrients and deplete the earth. Subsequently, it is worth a lot of work to get rid of them. Siderata very quickly increase the green mass, leaving no chance for weeds. Mustard and phacelia are especially famous for this;
  • Green manure is simply indispensable for improving soil structure. The deep root system of most green manure plants contributes to effective soil drainage and loosening.

What green manure is better to use and plant

Which siderates are better - it depends on which specific tasks you decide. If you need to loosen the soil, then you can’t think of anything better than sowing winter rye. This unpretentious, undemanding culture develops a powerful root system, suppresses wheatgrass and other weeds. She has a long, branched fibrous root system that penetrates to a depth of one and a half meters and loosens the ground. Rye is especially good in the development of virgin lands.

What green manure is better to plant, if it is necessary to restore soil fertility and enrich it with additional nitrogen - sow legumes! For example, alfalfa produces several cuts per season, its biomass - an easily digestible fertilizer comparable to manure - helps to reduce soil acidity and improve its structure. All legumes differ in the ability to accumulate nitrogen from the air in nodules located on the roots, due to symbiosis with soil bacteria. Therefore, before sowing dill, parsley, cilantro, as well as pumpkin (cucumbers, zucchini, squash, pumpkin) and cabbage, which greatly deplete the beds, it is good to sow beans, peas or lupins.

What green manure to use to ensure soil drainage and provide protection from pests? All lupins contain alkaloids that repel the bear, cockchafer larvae and other pests. In addition, lupine, having a long tap root system, drains the soil to a depth of two meters. According to its qualities, lupine may well replace manure and contribute to soil deoxidation.


Another representative of legumes is sweet clover, one of the common siderates for use on saline and carbonate soils. In addition to being a wonderful honey plant and medicinal plant, it repels mice and reduces soil infestation with wireworms.


Mustard, due to the high sulfur content in the seeds and roots, repels the bear, slugs and wireworm larvae, a serious pest of potatoes and carrots. Pathogenic microflora also does not tolerate sulfur compounds, so sowing mustard heals the soil.

If you need to quickly grow mulch or composting material, sow oilseed radish, it grows quickly, gives a large root and green mass.

What green manure is better and can be sown in autumn before winter?

Regardless of which siderats are better to sow, they must be alternated! There is only one rule here - when sowing garden crops, it is impossible for them to be preceded by green manure - "relatives". This is due to common pests and the threat of contamination of the land by their larvae. In this case, more than ever, “family ties” must be avoided. This means that cruciferous plants (mustard, oil radish, rapeseed) should not be sown either before or after cabbage, radish or radish.

The only "orphan" that has no relatives among garden crops, phacelia stands apart and is suitable for any crops. After tomatoes and peppers, it is good to sow mustard. And after cucumbers - lupins, phacelia or winter rapeseed.

What green manure is better to sow in the fall to get maximum effect soil preparation for spring processing? In principle, you can sow at any time: spring, summer, autumn. But it is better to sow lupine in the spring, in which case it will store more nitrogen. You do not have to wait for autumn to sow green manure plants. As soon as any bed is freed, sow a green manure culture. Better early. It can be mustard, rapeseed, beans, which still have time to accumulate green mass before the onset of cold weather and the first frost. Well, in the fall, those beds that are intended for sowing in early spring, be sure to sow green manure, as well as the area that is reserved for potatoes. The answer to the question of what green manure can be sown before winter is simple: the best predecessors for it are rye and legumes.

In autumn, it is better to use cold-resistant crops, such as mustard or rapeseed, which continue to grow at a temperature of 3-4°C and withstand frosts down to -5°C. Non-hardy crops (phacelia, buckwheat, marigolds, lupins) also contribute, dying off at the first frost and covering the ground with a protective layer.

After harvesting, it is often recommended to sow winter crops and vetch, they are pruned in early spring, leaving them in the garden, easily planting them to a depth of 2-3 cm. It must be borne in mind that it is impossible to sow on them immediately so that the seedlings in the garden do not burn out from excess nitrogen. This technique is good to use on areas that you plan to give a little "rest".

What green manure can be sown in spring and how to use

In the spring, you can sow siderates that are not attacked by cruciferous flea and other pests. Choosing which siderostats to sow in the spring is quite simple: you need fast growth vegetative mass, which will be used during the summer as a mulch for beds. Siderates should be cut with a chopper or Fokin flat cutter below the soil level, at a depth of about two to three centimeters. This must be done before the stage of flowering plants, not later! Transfer the green mass to compost heap or leave it right in the garden. In this case, after about a month, everything will rot with the help of aerobic microorganisms, and the roots remaining in the ground will provide the soil with the necessary aeration and drainage.

Rule number one when working with green manure: contrary to established practice, they should not be plowed before use.

This is not necessary, since it is aerobic bacteria that help rapid decay green mass and turning it into valuable organic fertilizer. If the biomass is plowed, then, having fallen to a depth, aerobic bacteria will die, and decay processes will begin with the participation of anaerobic bacteria. And this will nullify the entire effect of sowing green manure.

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