Siderata - what are they for?

Content:

Siderata (green fertilizers) are plants that live one year, which were bred to fertilize the soil. They make the earth favorable for plants, replenishing it with useful substances.
For everything to work out, you need to sow green manure seeds on the site that has been or will be planted. After that, we cut off what has grown and leave it on the ground. Plants must rot and be absorbed into the ground.

Recently, people are talking about siderates more and more often. What is it and why use them, and most importantly how?

Green manure plants: the benefits of using

Siderata: advantages

Every gardener wants to have a good harvest. Therefore, many people use synthetic soil feed. They really give a large amount of harvest, but they harm the earth and the plants themselves. On the contrary, green manures are organic, therefore they act well on the soil, providing e nutrient active microelements. In addition, these plants can help to combat weeds, overheating and cracking of the earth.
After periodic use of green manure, the soil will become softer, since the roots of this fertilizer loosen the soil, supplying it with oxygen.

The best green manure species

There are a huge number of plants, they are all different and work with the earth in different ways. Popular types are legumes, crucifers, and cereals.

LEGUMES

Green fertilizers of the legume type are considered the best suppliers of nitrogen for the soil, especially for clayey and peaty-boggy ones. They easily tolerate low temperatures, which makes it possible to use them in late autumn. The big plus is that the frequent use of leguminous green manures gives a chance to increase the yield by 50 percent. Even on dead soil, the living layer can be restored. These siderates include soybeans, clover, beans, peas, vetch, fodder beans, etc.

CEREALS

Siderata of this type contain a high concentration of nutrients, namely: potassium, phosphorus. Cereals include rye, barley, wheat, etc. They also cope well with frost and earth pests. But you need to remember a few rules when planting these siderates. Rye can dry out the soil, it is best to plant it near a swamp. Oats will not grow well in sandy areas, it is better to plant on acidic soil. Barley also loves dryness and is best sown in summer.

CROSS-COLORED

The most favorite type of green manure among gardeners. It scares off diseases, and does not allow garden pests to spoil plants. The most popular representatives of this species are superica, rapeseed and mustard. Unlike cereals, they do not require special maintenance and soil. They will help in the fight against erosion, soil leaching. As with legumes, the root is of great value. All useful substances are located there.

What green manures are compatible with different cultures

Green fertilizers require several maintenance rules. One of the main rules is that the plant with which the green manure enters into a reaction must be from different families. One species feeds on the same substances and green manure will simply take them away from the plant. Also, the same family has the same diseases.

How to sow green manure

How to sow

The main factor here is the season.

SPRING

In spring, green manure should be sown 3 weeks before planting. In the spring, there may be problems with the rise of green manure, but there is no need to rush. After 12 days, cut off the sprouts with a flat cutter, leave them for mulching.

SUMMER

This is a favorable time for sowing, you can sow several times.Plant different green manures at different times of summer, so you will give the soil a whole range of useful elements.

AUTUMN

It is best to plant cereals during this period. It is necessary to cut off the stem, after which the root will protect the soil from damage and frostbite.

How to clean

1) We cut off green manure so as not to disturb the soil layer. We leave the roots in the ground.
2) Cut off before the flowers appear.
3) Leave the stems that were cut in place, evenly distributing them.
Well, green manures do an excellent job of fertilizing the soil, restoring the land.

Improvement of the soil with green manure