How to sow green manures

With their fibrous roots and complex roots structures, green manures are ideal for breaking up clay soil and retaining nutrients during heavy rainfall. The weed-smothering foliage of plants like buckwheat also makes green manures perfect for use in vegetable gardens – and provides shelter for useful insects like ground beetles.

1. Measure the plot of bare soil you wish to work on and calculate the sowing rate according to the packet instructions. Mix several varieties for the best result, such as buckwheat, alfalfa and mustard greens.

2. Broadcast your seeds over prepared soil or sow them in rows.

3. Gently rake the seeds in. Protect your plot from birds using horticultural fleece, bird-scares, or simply provide a well-stocked bird feeder as an alternative food source.

Once you’ve sown your hardy green manures, this plot can be forgotten about until spring.

The land will be ready for cropping in April (but it can be left for longer). Cut the green growth back and leave it to wilt. Then, dig the wilted matter back into the top 25cm of soil. The rotting process turns the leafy organic matter into manure – perfect for preparing the ground for delicious leafy vegetables like lettuce, leeks and perpetual spinach.

Remember to allow a couple of weeks between digging and planting, as decaying green manures can suppress new plant growth.

Our favourite green manures include: 

• Buckwheat

• Alfalfa

• White clover 

• Fenugreek

• Grazing rye

• Mustard greens