In winter green crops prevent the rains from leaching valuable nutrients from the soil, they add nitrogen and improve the structure and fertility through the months when the garden is at rest to put the soil in a healthy condition ready for spring and summer plantings.
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When green crops are dug into the garden the added humus opens up the soil making it the ideal first crop for a new garden bed. Another bonus is that they help to suppress weeds which saves on hand weeding and cuts down on hiding places for unwanted garden pests.
Any manure or fertiliser added when you plant a green manure crop will be retained in the soil and become available for future plants to use.
Before sowing dig the bed over to develop a good tilth in the soil. A sprinkling of lime can be added at this time. Rake the soil over till the surface is level. Scatter the seeds evenly over the surface, not too thick, then rake into the surface. How easy is that?
Most green manures are ready to cut down about three months after planting. Cut the tops and add to the compost bin to make digging in the remaining leaf, stems and roots easier, or dig in the lot, its up to you.
Of the seeds, lucerne is a nitrogen fixer rich in essential nutrients as well as being able to draw up minerals from deep in the soil.
Agricultural lupins are another nitrogen fixer with deep roots with the added bonus of attracting beneficial insects. Buckwheat’s deep roots improves poor soils while beans and peas provide good coverage for bare areas.
Convenient, pre-mixed bags of green manure seeds are available at nurseries in 500gms and 1kg bags. One kilogram should cover about 50 square metres of ground.
Once you have grown green crops you will see the difference in the soil. It’s not often you come across something that seems too good to be true and actually lives up to its hype.
Rose hips
The last roses may have faded and fell away but many continue to inspire us with their colourful, decorative hips.
Some roses are worth growing for the hips alone which resemble lacquered Chinese lanterns. Rosa rugosa has extra plump hips which makes delicious jelly.
Pewter foliage and red hips is a delight on R. glauca all through autumn. Rosa roxburghii has chestnut-like fruits following by pink flowers. The most spectacular is R. moyesii which bears long, lantern-shaped red hips on arching stems.
Diary
June 15: The Launceston Horticultural Society will meet at the Windmill Hill Hall, High Street, Launceston at 8pm. Guest speaker for the evening is Shane Boyce who will speak on the Art of Bonsai. Visitors and new members are most welcome.
June 16: The Launceston Orchid Society will meet at the Newnham Uniting Church Hall, George Town Road, Launceston at 7.00pm. Visitors are most welcome.
July 19: The Australian Plant Society will meet at the Max Fry Hall on Gorge Rd, Trevallyn, Launceston at 7.30pm. Visitors are welcome to attend the meeting at no charge and will be able to gain expert advice on gardening with native plants from the friendly members over a cup of tea or coffee. Information on the APST can be obtained from its website at www.apstasnorth.org
Daily: The Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden at 55 Breffay Road, Romaine, Burnie is open from 9am to 5pm. This outstanding attraction is a must visit.