GREEN MANURE Lupin Seeds
Botanical name: Lupinus angustifolius
Lupin is a vigorous cool-season legume prized for its deep taproot, rapid biomass production, and exceptional nitrogen fixation. It improves soil tilth, suppresses weeds, and boosts long-term fertility—perfect for garden beds, orchards, and broadacre systems.
Ideal as a green manure, companion and feed that will improve your soil naturally and is the largest pulse crop grown in Australia.
- Builds soil organic matter quickly, enhancing structure and water infiltration.
- Fixes atmospheric nitrogen to naturally fertilise subsequent crops.
- Dense canopy shades out weeds and reduces erosion.
- Supports beneficial insects and overall soil ecology.
- Useful across home gardens, market gardens, mixed farms, and broadacre rotations.
- Produces abundant biomass to chop-and-drop or incorporate as a nutrient-rich green manure.
Plant Details:
- Plant Type: Cool-season annual legume for green manure, companion, and stock feed
- Height/Spread: 60–120 cm tall; bushy habit
- Benefits: Nitrogen fixation, soil conditioning, weed suppression, forage potential
Sowing Information:
- Sow When:
Temperate Regions: Autumn to early winter (April–June).
Subtropical Regions: Late autumn–winter (May–July).
Tropical Highlands/Cool Dry: Early dry season (May–June).
Cool Regions: Autumn after frost risk declines (April–May). - Germination: 7–14 days
- Depth: 2–4 mm in fine seedbeds; up to 1 cm in coarser soils
- Position: Full sun
- Sow Where: Direct in beds, pasture renovation strips, or field blocks
- Soil Type: Well-drained soils; tolerates sands to loams; pH 5.5–7.5
- Spacing: Broadcast evenly and rake in, or drill in rows 20–30 cm apart
Management:
- Water to establish; thereafter moderately drought-tolerant but responds to steady moisture.
- Slash or cut before peak flowering to maximise nitrogen return and ease incorporation.
- Allow residues to decompose 3–6 weeks before planting the next crop.
Harvest and Incorporation:
For green manure, chop at early bloom and dig or till into the top 10–15 cm of soil. Alternatively, use as a surface mulch (chop-and-drop) and let soil life work it in.
When to Sow Lupin in Your Climate
| Climate Zone | Best Planting Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Temperate | April–June | Sow into moist soil before winter cold sets in. Ideal for cereal–legume rotations. |
| Subtropical | May–July | Time sowing for the cooler months; avoid peak summer heat. |
| Tropical Highlands/Cool Dry | May–June | Sow early in the dry season to leverage mild temperatures. |
| Cool | April–May | Sow after the last hard frosts; protect seedlings if cold snaps occur. |
| Arid | Autumn after rains | Irrigate to establish and mulch to conserve moisture. |
Quick Growing Guide
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Germination Time | 7–14 days |
| Sowing Depth | 2–10 mm (shallower in fine seedbeds) |
| Watering | Keep evenly moist to establish; moderate watering thereafter |
| Growth Period | 8–12 weeks to green-manure stage |
| Incorporation | Slash at early bloom; dig in and allow 3–6 weeks to break down |