Green Manure - Mustard

Mustard (White tilney)
Mustard is a very quick growing green manure, that can be sown from March to September at 4gms per square metre and has a growing period of 1-2 months and can reach 60-90cm. The half hardy annual grows on most soil types and produces large volumes of green matter and residual fibre which is particularly good for those soils that lack organic matter it helps to improve soil texture and moisture retention. After 4-8 weeks of growth chop down the plants and cultivate into the top few inches of your soil. On sandy ground let mustard reach 40cm in height or wait for the first flowers to appear before digging in. This will produce more fibrous plant matter which can help very free draining soils retain more moisture and nutrients. It isn’t a nitrogen fixer though but is still a very worthwhile leafy green manure . As part of the brassica family, repeated sowings and digging in of the mustard at 4-8 week intervals may help to clear infected land of club-root. Mustard is part of the brassica family and it will activate the dormant spores of this fungal disease, and will allow the grower to break its life-cycle as the plants are prematurely destroyed. An excellent plus, as club-root disease can remain dormant in the ground for up to 20 years but this is not a quick fix and it will take a number of repeated sowings. As it is part of the brassica family don’t use mustard in crop rotation plan before sowing a brassica crop as this increases the likelihood of diseases. It is quite hard to dig in after winter (good exercise though!) so either loosen roots one day and then dig in a couple of days later, or cut down foliage, then cover with a light excluding mulch such as black plastic for 3 weeks and it will be easier to dig in. The foliage can also be added to your compost. Please note that rye releases a chemical that inhibits the growth of the next crop, so a month should be left after digging it in and before planting the next crop. Sow August to November and dig in in early spring. Sow at 10gms per square metre 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 - Mustard	25 gms	£0.99	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Mustard	50 gms	£1.25	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Mustard	100 gms	£1.45	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Mustard	250 gms	£2.99	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Mustard	500 gms	£4.45	Add to Basket