Green Manure - Phacelia tanacetifolia

Phacelia tanacetifolia
Phacelia is a quick growing hardy annual green manure that germinates at low temperatures and is ideal for sowing from March until September. It will grow up to 1m in height and is tolerant of cold temperatures and may over-winter if its not too cold. It suits most soil types but is particularly good in dry ones. Phacelia has beautiful purple/blue flowers with dense fern-like foliage however it does self-seed very easily so if it is used as a green manure dig in before flowering or cut down and compost the foliage. It flowers from 6-8 weeks from sowing for a period of 6-8 weeks. Phacelia is listed as one of the top 20 honey-producing flowers for honeybees and is very attractive to bumblebees and hoverflies. So small patches could be left to flower, especially near to vegetables to attract pollinating insects to the area. But don’t have too many as the insects will feed on the Phacelia rather than the veg. Remove weeds especially perennials, rake the soil and scatter the seed at a rate of 1g per sq m. Dig in to a depth of 1cm and lightly water in. 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 - Phacelia tanacetifolia	10 gms	£0.99	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Phacelia tanacetifolia	25 gms	£1.25	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Phacelia tanacetifolia	50 gms	£1.45	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Phacelia tanacetifolia	100 gms	£2.99	Add to Basket
Green Manure - Phacelia tanacetifolia	250 gms	£4.95	Add to Basket