Rye as green manure: sowing in autumn, spring, winter, advantages and disadvantages

Rye as a green manure has become widespread. The material is suitable for different types of soil, fills it with nutrients, and reduces the rate of weed development.

The use of rye as green manure

Rye has a lot of positive qualities. Before using it, it is important to consider the negative aspects.

Advantages

Flaws

Low cost, possible use in the Urals and Siberia

As a green manure, you have to mow it before throwing out the spikelets.

Forms a thick green mass

It is necessary to monitor the growth rate, know the timing of planting and digging

In the case of autumn planting, the ear is thrown out later

Vulnerability to click beetles

High percentage of carbohydrates and proteins

 

Is a soil loosening agent

 

During fermentation, additional energy is generated from carbohydrates

 

The root system repels insects

 

Agricultural crops planted on the site do not require nutrients.Rye enriches the soil with useful salts and acids, carbohydrates and proteins. Green manure loosens the soil and protects against most diseases and pests. If the soil needs rest, these plants cope perfectly.

Advice! To protect against the click beetle, the seeds are treated in mustard. It scares away their larvae, which feed on the sap of the roots.

On what soils is it used?

Rye is used everywhere as a fertilizer for gardening. The popularity of phacelia is not so great - it is less nutritious. On the other hand, the material does not require observation, and pollinators arrive during flowering.

As for the choice of soil, there are no preferences. Both crops grow on acidic, poor and even sandy substrates. Of course, the more fertile the soil, the better.

What can you plant after rye?

After green manure, the following plants are bred:

  • dill;
  • potato;
  • pepper;
  • parsley;
  • pumpkin;
  • carrot;
  • turnip;
  • tomatoes;
  • watermelon;
  • melon.
  • beet.
Attention! When growing nightshades, you need to watch for pests. The click beetle loves potatoes, so rye is mixed with insecticides or mustard.

In addition to the listed crops, after rye used as green manure, you can plant berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, sea buckthorn, etc.) and fruits (apples, pears, persimmons, tangerines, lemon, kiwi, etc.). In this case, the soil should be watered regularly. Fluid deficiency affects the number of fruits.

When to plant rye as green manure

When using rye as green manure, it is important to monitor the rate of development of the crop; this is necessary to determine the timing of mowing and digging

The green mass grows densely, so it is sufficient for planting most crops. The tops rot within 15-20 days.If green manure is laid in March, planting begins in April.

Rye as a green manure must be plowed in on time and correctly, otherwise it will be of little use

Is it possible to plant rye in the spring as green manure?

It is easier to prepare the site for spring planting. The rye is crushed with flat cutters and the remains are left to rot. After this, they begin to plant the necessary plants. If desired, you can water the soil generously with the addition of EM products (preparations with effective microorganisms). This will speed up the rotting process. The procedure applies to all green manures.

How to sow winter rye as green manure

Rye is very effective as a green manure, this is clear from the description. It works not only in spring, but also in autumn - immediately before the onset of cold weather. To ensure that the area is well fertilized by spring, mow it after the green manure grows to 30 cm.

Advice! Some sprinkle the plant with 10 cm of soil. The procedure is optional - the grass will rot in any case, since there is a lot of water in spring.

Sometimes the vegetation is left to overwinter and removed after the snow melts. Many gardeners like to leave tops. If there is constant planting in the garden, this will allow the soil to rest.

In addition, digging destroys beneficial bacteria and insects. If the rye is left over the winter, this will not happen, and in the spring the soil will quickly recover. The root system of green manure is a leavening agent. Plants planted on the site will be able to receive an influx of fresh air and moisture.

When using rye, the gardener prevents the spread of diseases and increases the stability of the immune system. It takes time for beneficial bacteria to recover. The average period is 3 years.The advantage of using winter rye is that the owner will not need to monitor the timing of mowing.

It is up to the gardener to decide when to plant rye. There are fewer problems with autumn planting and the soil recovers faster. If time has been lost, green manure can be used in the spring.

How to plant rye as green manure

In central Russia, green manure is sown in September or August. The winter hardiness of rye allows it to be used in such conditions. The favorable period for planting is between the end of October and the beginning of November.

Gardeners plant green manure where nothing will grow next season

You can sprinkle the seeds in other areas, making rows in 15 cm increments.

Advice! If the use of rye is necessary to improve the soil composition, add an additional 20 g of nitrophoska.

To make plants grow faster, regular watering is necessary. It can be omitted in case of upcoming precipitation, so as not to flood the ground. Rye seeds are placed close to each other to ensure planting density. For a plot of 100 sq. m. 2-3 kg of material is enough.

Rye is not grown near fruit trees, since the crop will take away moisture. The grains are deepened by 3-4 cm. A rake is well suited for this if there is no special tool.

To speed up growth, last year's seeds are used. Young raw materials do not have enough nutritional elements, which affects the speed of development. In addition to planting, it is important to know the nuances of caring for green manure and the timing of mowing.

Care instructions

If the rye has not been mowed before winter, it will begin to grow quickly after the snow melts. Therefore, in the spring it is pruned, leaving shoots up to 5 cm. At the same time, the soil is loosened. After preparation, other crops are planted.

When to mow and dig up rye as green manure

Pruning is carried out when green manure enters the phase of active development. In this case, rye can be shaded by other plantings. To obtain organic fertilizer, the stems are cut before the buds appear, otherwise they will become strong and difficult to process.

Green manure is mowed when it reaches 30-35 cm. Experienced gardeners recommend digging up the area after the snow has melted, when it has become sufficiently wet.

The culture is not afraid of pests, per 100 sq. m in 1 month up to 320 kg of vegetation appears

Attention! If the winter has little snow and no precipitation is expected in the coming weeks, water the soil yourself. Then they plow up.

Which is better as green manure: oats or rye?

Some do not use rye as green manure, preferring oats. Both options are good for soil enrichment. For clarity, it is worth making a comparison of cultures:

  1. Rye kills weeds, develops quickly, and is dense. Its roots contain nutrients as well as secretions that repel insects. The plant can be used at different periods of time. Thanks to its winter hardiness, it easily survives frosts.
  2. It is better to plant oats in the spring, especially if severe cold weather is expected. Green manure contains nutrients, but in smaller quantities.

Whatever green manure the gardener chooses, it must be cultivated wisely. If you know about the characteristics of the crop, planting dates, and agricultural technology, the site will be well fertilized and protected from weeds.

Rye has excellent immunity, so it is not afraid of diseases; the gardener will not have to worry much and inspect the crop daily

Conclusion

Rye as green manure is a powerful fertilizer that does not harm other plantings. Usually it is alternated with other crops, for example, oats.This gives the earth time to rest and enriches the composition.

Reviews on the use of rye as green manure

Mikhail Yalyukhov, Kazan
I have been using green manure for a long time, alternating between each other so that the garden does not get tired. After processing, the soil becomes nutritious and even acquires a special aroma. It rises quickly. When it grows to 25 cm, I dig it up. I myself noticed how the garden became prettier in a few years. I didn’t find any shortcomings. Review text
Olga Zhenikova, St. Petersburg
When choosing green manure, rely on what you want to get from it. Those who need to remove weeds grow rye. The question is quite old and therefore closed. Difficulties may arise only during planting if the area is large. In other cases, there are no problems: the soil improves, the weeds die, and the pests don’t even think about bothering you.
Margarita Levanova, Obninsk
Text: I want to emphasize the importance of treating with mustard, since many people encounter wireworms. Regardless of the plant chosen, green manure seeds are mixed with mustard, which, due to its composition, repels larvae.

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