Green Manure?

Farmall43 · May 21, 2015

I just picked up a new field and will be plowing it Saturday. The grass in it is about 2 feet tall. My question is it seems like I remember when plowing down a lot of green you should wait 10-14 days to plant. Something about in the initial stages of decomposition that the green manure is toxic to seeds or young plants. Any thoughts on this?

hayray · May 22, 2015

Based on my experience I would say that is not true .

randallk · May 22, 2015

I can't think of ANY possible reason there would be any toxicity. The main reason folks liked to let it lay for 10-14 days prior to working it down was to give the old plants time to die. If you work it down immediately (within a couple days) you'll basicly bring many of those old plant roots back to the surface and essentially "replant" them.

4020 electrician · May 28, 2015

If you plow it make sure you have a window so you can work it down and plant it. A field like that the soil after you plow it takes a while to dry if it gets much rain.

paul · Jun 1, 2015

There is a period when the green stuff can heat up and decompose rapidly, and that could mess with seed germination at just the wrong time. Its a rare deal, probably not worth worrying about. Seems like it was about the 4th day after plowing, but depends on temps and moisture and such. Kinda like a tad wet hay goes through a sweat, the plow down goes through such a sweat as well.

Are you in sandy, loamy, or clay soils? It makes a difference how you attack this, sometimes you want the disk out there an hour behind the plow, or at least a good harrow. Sometimes you want to wait like you suggest.

Paul

Green Manure?

Farmall43

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hayray

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randallk

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4020 electrician

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paul

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