Good afternoon, my reader. Siderata do an excellent job and saturate the soil with nitrogen and organic matter. Most often, legumes or cereals are planted as siderates, but under what conditions can they be sown? Which ones will not take root in unheated soil?
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Experts believe that planting crops that enrich the soil in spring is much more effective than in summer. When the temperature rises outside the window, plants develop more actively, and moist spring soil contributes to this. Planting legumes or grasses in the spring will improve the soil structure, protect it from weathering, provide the plants with moisture and air, and preserve nutrients in the soil.
Changing the acidity of the soil, providing a supply of nitrogen and oxygen, preventing the growth of weeds and controlling pests - all these are the functions of green manure. Buckwheat, peas, lupines, oats and mustard are best planted in spring.
In May, planting of many crops and seedlings of tomatoes and peppers begins - by this time the siderates are growing and already have a green mass. Unfortunately, there is no plant that has a beneficial effect on all crops. The need to choose the right green manure for each garden bed complicates the gardener's task.
Planting dates for green manure
Once the snow melts and the soil dries up, it's time to plant the crops under study. It is also necessary to focus on the period of planting seedlings in a greenhouse and sow siderates there 6 weeks before other crops.
Preparation for planting consists in clearing the soil from debris and weeds and loosening the beds. There are two ways to plant green manure: row formation and chaotic continuous seeding. For even seed emergence, the seed is mixed with a small amount of sand or sawdust.
It is customary to bury green manures in the ground 2 weeks before planting the main part of the plants. Before buds begin to form, soil-improving crops are mowed or cut. Otherwise, their stems will become rough, the root system will grow, and the beneficial effect will be canceled out by the excessive growth of crops and the need to remove them.
Selection of green manure for sowing
Nowadays there is a wide selection of green manure seeds, you can even purchase a mixture, for example, legume-cereal. And gardeners need to make a decision based on the type of soil in the garden, the main crop and the desired outcome. Below we will consider in detail some options for siderates.
Buckwheat
Unpretentious care, active growth on acidic soils - the advantages of buckwheat. It enriches the soil with phosphorus and potassium, fights against pests. The low frost resistance of buckwheat led to the planting of this culture not earlier than May. After removing the green mass, part of the culture is left on the surface of the earth as mulch.
Mustard
Quite common green manure. White mustard tolerates low temperatures, but does not grow in acidic and wetlands.
1-2 months - the growth period of white mustard, during this time it will acquire a green mass, prevent the appearance of weeds and create a shade for other crops. Its beneficial effect also includes loosening the soil, releasing sulfur, which repels pests, and preventing late blight and fusarium.
Phacelia
Potatoes, carrots and beets will be protected from pests thanks to the phacelia. In addition to repelling insects and enriching the soil, it stops soil erosion. In the southern regions, it is planted in February, and in regions with severe winters - not earlier than March.
Planting green manure is a necessary event for those who want to protect the rest of the plantings from pests and fertilize the soil in which they grow. It is important to correctly combine the main plants with green manure and cut off the latter before the buds appear.
Do you plant green manure in the garden?
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