Field Beans Green Manure Seeds

Overview

Field Beans are an overwintering green manure and is generally winter hardy. It germinates well in colder weather from September-November.

Field Beans are particularly good on heavy soils and their deep roots are not only able to penetrate & break up the soil but fix nitrogen too. Its foliage will add some organic matter to the soil but to help suppress weeds further it is often sown with grazing rye.

Field beans are part of the legume family therefore sow after summer legumes to overwinter in a crop rotation plan. Follow with Brassicas and they will benefit from as nitrogen helps to promote the green leafy growth that we eat e.g cabbages/kale.

Either cut down and dig in during spring or cut down, allow to re-grow and then dig in. Best to dig in before flowering and 3-4 weeks before area required for new seasons planting.

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Sowing months	September, October, November
Growing period	Overwinter.
Ideal soil type	Clay, Heavy, Most
Avoid soil type	N/A
Nitrogen fixer	Yes
How to sow	Clear area of weeds especially perennials ones, rake soil to a fine tilth. Either sow 10cm apart in rows 20cm apart by 5cm deep or broadcast sow seed and dig in to a depth of 5cm the spread will not be as even but on small domestic areas it may not be as important.
Care	The green manure should be cut down before flowering when the stems are nice and soft as they decompose quicker, retain more beneficial nutrients and are easier to incorporate into the soil. They can be dug into the soil by turning over into the top 15cms or left on the top as a mulch, the worms will drag down the organic matter and help to aerate the soil.
Sow rate	20 grams per square metre.
Area covered	100g pack = 5m² 250g pack = 12m² 500g pack = 25m² 1000g pack = 50m²

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