GREEN MANURE Cool Season Cover
Our Autumn & Winter Green Manure Seed Mix is a powerful cool-season cover crop blend that revitalises soil during the colder months. This diverse mix of legumes, grains, brassicas, and herbs improves soil fertility, fixes nitrogen, breaks up compacted soils, and adds organic matter when incorporated. It’s ideal for fallow beds, orchards, market gardens, and large-scale cropping systems between growing seasons.
- Fixes atmospheric nitrogen through legumes such as vetch, clovers, lupin, and peas.
- Deep-rooted species like tillage radish and lupin aerate soil and improve drainage.
- Suppresses weeds and prevents erosion over winter with fast, dense growth.
- Adds bulk organic matter to boost fertility and feed soil microbes before spring planting.
- Attracts beneficial insects and improves biodiversity when left to flower.
What’s Inside?
A broad range of soil-conditioning species carefully selected for cool-season performance:
- Legumes: Alfalfa, Broad Bean, Crimson Clover, White Clover, Dun Pea, Lupin, Vetch, Mung Bean, Fenugreek
- Grains & Grasses: Oats, Barley, Rye, Wheat, Japanese Millet, White French Millet
- Brassicas & Leafy Crops: Mustard, Kale, Tillage Radish, Spinach
- Herbs: Dill (supports pollinators and soil structure)
Plant Details:
- Plant Type: Annual autumn/winter green manure and cover crop mix
- Coverage: 1000 m² per kg (broadcast)
Sowing Information:
- Sow When:
Temperate Regions: February–June or August–October
Subtropical Regions: March–June - Germination: 7–14 days
- Depth: Sow 1–2 cm deep
- Position: Full sun to part shade
- Sow Where: Broadcast into prepared beds, paddocks, or orchard understories
- Soil Type: Well-drained soil with pH 6.0–7.0
- Spacing: Broadcast evenly or drill in rows 15–30 cm apart
Management:
- Water regularly during germination and early growth stages.
- Cut or mow before flowering (6–10 weeks after sowing) to maximise nitrogen fixation and biomass return.
Harvest and Incorporation:
Turn under or dig in at least 2–3 weeks before planting spring crops. In no-dig systems, slash and leave the residue on the surface as a soil-enriching mulch.
When to Sow Autumn & Winter Mix in Your Climate
| Climate Zone | Best Planting Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Temperate | February–June or August–October | Sow before winter or after summer crops to build soil through cooler seasons. |
| Subtropical | March–June | Best sown as the wet season tapers off for strong early establishment. |
| Tropical | Not recommended | Use warm-season alternatives such as sunn hemp or lablab for tropical soils. |
| Cool | February–April | Establish before frost becomes frequent; suitable for overwintering cover. |
| Arid | March–May | Sow with irrigation and mulch to retain soil moisture in dry climates. |
Quick Growing Guide
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Germination Time | 7–14 days |
| Sowing Depth | 1–2 cm |
| Watering | Water regularly until established; becomes drought-tolerant once mature. |
| Growth Period | 6–10 weeks before incorporation |
| Incorporation | Cut before flowering and dig in 2–3 weeks before spring planting. |
