Comments on: Overwintering Green Manure http://sustainablesmallholding.org/overwintering-green-manure/ Permaculture, and Sustainable practices on a Lincolnshire Smallholding Tue, 25 Mar 2014 08:13:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.1 By: Deano Martin http://sustainablesmallholding.org/overwintering-green-manure/#comment-22335 Wed, 05 Mar 2014 08:51:22 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4162#comment-22335 My concerns with the rockdust experiment were mainly to do with the amount of space that would need to be used for direct comoparisons. If I use a bed for each, but grow a mix of the same crops in each bed, I can potentially avoid growing too much of one thing.
Deano

]]>
By: MikeH http://sustainablesmallholding.org/overwintering-green-manure/#comment-22334 Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:41:47 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4162#comment-22334 Swap? Absolutely.

It seems to me that any test with rockdust is probably best kept as simple as possible, ie, few variables. We’ll take one of our raised beds and add rock dust to one end of it while leaving the rest untouched. Then we’ll grow the same things in each section.

Regards,
Mike

]]>
By: Deano Martin http://sustainablesmallholding.org/overwintering-green-manure/#comment-22330 Fri, 28 Feb 2014 19:05:44 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4162#comment-22330 Hi Mike
I was impressed by the soil in the video from your link. That’s unusual for me, especially for an arable soil.
I think that I’d prefer ‘sweet’ Lupin seed to large. There is a lot of ‘faff’ involved in preparing the larger seeds. Long soak, and a long boil. Perhaps we can do a swap next year, or I can get you some of the larger seed. it’s sold in specialist shops catering to Portugese people living here. http://www.portuguesefood.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=33&products_id=87&zenid=22cf9d4f333dfee828b899c90992acc8
After reading this again, I think that yours may be a better option.
I’m about to do a side by side comparison of rockdust, but cannot be sure whether to do compost vs compost and rockdust, or compost versus rockdust and over wintered green manure. It would be nice to do all three, but not sure that I could organise it.
Take Care
Deano

]]>
By: MikeH http://sustainablesmallholding.org/overwintering-green-manure/#comment-22328 Fri, 28 Feb 2014 11:24:12 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4162#comment-22328 Hi Deano,

The seeds that I have are tiny although sweet. I went to the link you suggested. They ship within the Continental U.S. I don’t live there so that’s a problem. Thank you for your offer of seeds from you crop. I do appreciate it. I’ll mark my calendar to drop you a reminder note. LOL

The soil in this video is fantastic looking – http://youtu.be/Blxe7S41q9s?t=3m22s and all he is doing is using no till and cover crops. As a smallholder, I can do things that he can’t. By incorporating green manures into an Emilia Hazelip approach, I minimally disturb the soil and constantly improve its tilth.

We don’t use rock dusts – http://www.paramountgrowth.com/images/rockdust_sdiver01.pdf but will be trying a a side by side comparison this year.

Regards,
Mike

]]>
By: Deano Martin http://sustainablesmallholding.org/overwintering-green-manure/#comment-22327 Fri, 28 Feb 2014 08:13:41 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4162#comment-22327 Hi Mike
I think that I have the green manure / cover crops book that you mention. It’s one of a great set of resources available from SARE.
The Lupin seeds that I have are large white seeded, looking like a slightly smaller butter bean. They are sold all around the Med region. It may be that yours are already less bitter. The seeds can be bought fairly easily http://lupini.us/ . The lupins were in the polytunnel last year, and so are a bit mouldy. I’m happy to grow them on, but would be loathe to send inferior quality seed away, especially overseas. I’ll happily send you some of the seed from the stuff in the picture, which will be ready this summer.
If I was starting out agian, I would leave more growing space to allow for a period under green manures, and perhaps use the chickens to process them.
Nice to hear from you again
Deano

]]>