Green Manure - Blue Lupins

Blue Lupins
Blue Lupins are a hardy green manure annual that can be planted from March to July. They suit light sandy acid soils and are a hardworking leguminous crop that has very long tap roots that dredge up minerals, especially nitrogen (Lupins fix 25% more free nitrogen than clovers and 28% more than peas and beans). The long roots also help to break up and aerate heavier soils and allow more moisture retention with the addition of humus from the break down of the roots on light sandy soils. Lupins produce a beautiful blue flower but it is best to dig it in and cut down before they flower to help prevent them seeding and then becoming a nuisance. They are great for insects though, so a select few could be allowed to flower to draw more insects into the vegetable area. It is possible to sow lupins as an intercrop, e.g. among long growing varieties of veg like cabbage and sprouts, where they will contribute nitrogen to the soil and help promote growth in the veg crop. Green manures are particular plants which are grown to improve the structure and/or the fertility of the soil. They break up heavy soils and improve drainage. They can help light soils hold more water. Different green manures have roots of differing depths. These can mine for different minerals in the soil, bring them to the surface and keep them there. Green manures of the Legume family increase Nitrogen in the soil which will benefit the following crop. Some, such as Alfalfa, root down very deep and bring up minerals to the top layer of the soil. The green tops, when dug in, add humus and nutrients.
Green Manure - Blue Lupins	25 gms	£0.99	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Blue Lupins	50 gms	£1.25	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Blue Lupins	100 gms	£1.45	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Blue Lupins	250 gms	£2.99	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Blue Lupins	500 gms	£3.99	Add to Basket