What Is Green Manuer ?

 Many gardeners ask   "What is Green Manure"?  And How Do I use it?

Green manure, also called a cover crop, is a great way to add nutrients to your soil.  And this is a good thing to do no mater what your going to plant: Asparagus, Raspberry Plants or Horseradish. Green manure involves planting a crop that is meant to be turned or tilled back into the soil to increase its fertility. You will need to turn the green manure crop into the soil early Spring. This is done when the soil is  not warm enough to plant but is dry enough not to get compacted while you are working with it.

 Types Of Green Manures: There are two types of green manures: legumes and nonlegumes. Legumes are plants whose roots work with the bacteria in the soil to grab  nitrogen in the atmosphere. This is called nitrogen fixating.  Well-known legumes include alfalfa, clover, beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, lupins, mesquite, carob, soybeans.

 Nonlegumes are all other green manures like ryegrass, buckwheat, and oats. There is a form of rye called Winter Rye, that will grow in the coldest of zones and be ready to turn under in early spring. * This is my favorite. No matter which you decide to use for your Green Manure crop plant you will surely  see a difference on your soil.