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Usually I leave bean roots in for so long as i will because these have nodules which feed nitrogen back into the soil, and that i spread a layer of the manure-based compost brought to our allotments over the soil then cover them with old carpet.

The compost mulch and carpet prevents weed seeds within the soil from germinating within the spring – a minimum of until the carpets are lifted because the soil is replanted – and I’ve always found it a successful combination.

But in the event you grow vegetables to your garden you may not have access to manure and also you certainly won’t desire to look out at some mouldering old carpet, so why not grow a green manure?

These are fast-growing plants comparable to vetch, clover, rye grass or mustard that allows you to prevent the nutrients on your soil being washed away by winter rain.

It does this by means of the nutrients because it grows, safeguarding them of their roots and leaves,until February or March once you dig the plants into the soil in order that the nutrients are released because the plants decompose, able to be utilized by your new season’s crops.

Green manure plants include vetch, that will also fix nitrogen into the soil within the same way as runner beans and broad beans or garden peas.

Vetch, and mustard or rye grass, will even help to suppress pests and diseases within the soil, while providing a secure haven for pest controllers together with frogs and beetles.

However, the low-lying plants also provide protection for slugs and snails, so that you must do away with these with pellets, beer traps or by just collecting them up – whichever method you favour.

Although growing a green manure is a great approach to get a divorce soil and keep it aerated resulting from root growth, it’s essential wait at the least two weeks after digging it into the soil before planting within the spring.

And should you decide to plant mustard as a green manure, avoid growing cabbages or other brassicas on that patch of soil next year because there can be a slight risk of club root disease.

You only have another week or with the intention to get organised, because after October the seed might not germinate, and even though it is already too late to sow clover, alfalfa or winter tares and buckwheat there’s still time to sow Suttons Seeds’ Green Manure Winter Mixture of rye grass and vetch (£3.69) or Marshalls Seeds’ Caliente Mustard Seed (£4.95).

For additional information visit www.suttons.co.uk or www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk.