Chia Green Manure Seeds
Botanical Name: Salvia hispanica
Chia is an annual herbaceous plant valued for its rapid ground cover, fine root system and nutritious seed. As a green manure, chia produces a dense canopy that shades out weeds, adds organic matter when incorporated, and supports soil moisture retention. Its fibrous roots help bind surface soil, making it a useful option for short-term cover cropping, soil-building rotations, and pollinator-friendly regeneration mixes.
- Fast-establishing annual that provides good ground cover and weed suppression.
- Fine, fibrous roots help bind surface soil and improve soil structure when incorporated.
- Produces abundant biomass ideal for chopping and returning nutrients to the soil.
- Flowers attract bees and beneficial insects while adding biodiversity to rotations.
- Suitable as a companion in green manure blends for vegetable beds, orchards and small paddocks.
Plant Details:
- Plant Type: Warm-season annual green manure and flowering herb
- Growth Height: 30–90 cm (varies with variety and fertility)
- Frost Tolerance: Low — sensitive to hard frosts
Sowing Information:
- Sow When:
Temperate: Spring–early Summer
Subtropical: Spring–Autumn
Tropical: Start of dry season or cooler months
Cool: Late Spring after last frost
Arid: After reliable rainfall or with irrigation - Germination: 7–14 days in warm, moist conditions
- Depth: Sow surface or very shallowly — 0.5–1 cm deep (small seeds need light)
- Position: Full sun to light shade
- Sow Where: Broadcast on prepared beds, rows, paddocks, or inter-rows
- Soil Type: Prefers well-drained loam or sandy soils; tolerates low fertility but performs best with organic matter
- Spacing: Broadcast at 1–3 g/m² or 3–10 kg/ha in mixes for quick cover
Management:
- Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings establish; avoid waterlogging.
- Thin or mow dense stands if necessary to prevent lodging and encourage air flow.
- Chop and incorporate before heavy seed set to maximise green manure benefits and avoid volunteer plants.
- Use light applications of compost or balanced fertiliser on impoverished sites to boost biomass production.
Harvest and Incorporation:
For green manure use, cut or flail-chop chia when flowering begins and incorporate the biomass into the soil 2–3 weeks before planting the next crop. In no-dig systems, leave chopped material as surface mulch to slowly break down and feed soil biology. If the goal is seed production, allow plants to mature fully but be mindful seed harvest can leave volunteers the following season.
When to Sow Chia in Your Climate
| Climate Zone | Best Planting Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Temperate | Spring–early Summer | Sow after frost risk ends; keep evenly moist for best germination. |
| Subtropical | Spring–Autumn | Plant in cooler months where summers are very hot; provide irrigation if dry. |
| Tropical | Start of dry season or cooler months | Avoid heavy wet season sowing; establish before peak seasonal heat. |
| Cool | Late Spring | Use warmed seedbeds or protected sites; grow in pots if needed. |
| Arid | After rainfall or with irrigation | Sow into moist soil and protect from desiccation during establishment. |
Quick Growing Guide
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Germination Time | 7–14 days (warm, moist conditions) |
| Sowing Depth | 0.5–1 cm — seeds require light for best emergence |
| Watering | Keep moist during establishment; reduce watering as plants mature |
| Growth Period | 6–10 weeks to good biomass for incorporation; up to 12–16 weeks if flowering |
| Incorporation | Chop and dig in before heavy seed set; leave as surface mulch in no-dig systems |