Green Manure Forage Rye (Hungarian Grazing) Seeds
Green Manure Seeds from Sow Seeds Ltd
Forage Rye Green Manure (also known as Hungarian Grazing Cereal Rye) can be used anywhere in crop rotation plans and is one of the best for overwintering as it significantly reduces leaching throughout the winter period.
It's an excellent nitrogen lifter and it can lift and release up to 90% of nitrate to the next crop. Rye has deep penetrative roots that help to break up heavy soils and so improve soil structure. It is brilliant at suppressing weeds as it grows quickly and continues to grow in cold conditions. It suits most soils and copes especially well with heavy clay ones. It does require the correct conditions to germinate in autumn (not too much rain) and watch out for slug/snails who like its tasty leaves and birds who like to nip off the tops!
Forage Rye may be fairly hard to dig in after winter especially on heavy clay soils (good exercise though!) If it is difficult either loosen roots one day and then dig in a couple of days later, or cut down foliage and cover with a light excluding mulch such as black plastic for 3 weeks and it will then be easier to dig in. The foliage can also be added to your compost. Sow August to October and dig in during early spring.
Please note that forage rye releases a chemical that inhibits the growth of small seeds (particularly carrots, parsnips & spinach) so a month should be left after digging it in and before sowing the next crop. It does not pose a problem for transplants or young seedlings.
Need Some Help On Green Manure?
Then we have 2 invaluable resources on our website that will provide the answers to all of your Green Manure questions:
1. A Beginners Guide that covers everything you ever wanted to know about Green Manure in 5 quick and simple steps - read it [HERE]
2. How To Choose Which Green Manure To Sow...a summary of all the Green Manures showing which soil types, plant families, and benefits that each Green Manure can bring to your veg patch or allotment - read it [HERE]
Forage Rye (Hungarian Grazing) Green Manure Seed Information
When to Sow: | August, September, October. | |||||||||||||||
Growing period: | 3-6 months. | |||||||||||||||
Height: | Grows to a maximum height of c.40cm | |||||||||||||||
Ideal Soil Type: | Excellent for clay soil but suits most types. | |||||||||||||||
Nitrogen fixer: | No. Nitrogen LIFTER | |||||||||||||||
How to Sow: | Prepare the soil by roughly digging it over and removing any weeds. Lightly tread the soil, and then sow the seeds by broadcast sowing (i.e. scattering evenly) for good coverage. Rows can be sown but are not as good for weed suppression. Rake the soil and water well. In dry periods you may need to water until the green manure is established. | |||||||||||||||
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: | 17 grams per square metre. | |||||||||||||||
Pack Weight / Area: |
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When to Sow Forage Rye (Hungarian Grazing) Green Manure Seeds
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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