GREEN MANURE Phacelia Seeds
Botanical name: Phacelia tanacetifolia
Phacelia is a fast-growing annual cover crop that delivers exceptional benefits as a green manure and pollinator-friendly planting. With rapid growth, deep roots, and excellent soil conditioning properties, Phacelia enriches your soil, suppresses weeds, and builds long-term fertility. Ideal for improving garden beds, cropping areas, or farm paddocks.
- Excellent for improving soil structure and adding organic matter quickly.
- Attracts beneficial insects, including bees, for pollination support.
- Fast-growing canopy helps suppress weeds and reduce soil erosion.
- Supports microbial activity, enhancing long-term soil fertility.
- Suitable for home gardens, market gardens, and broadacre cropping systems.
- Produces abundant biomass that can be tilled into the soil as a nutrient-rich green manure.
Plant Details:
- Plant Type: Annual green manure cover crop
Sowing Information:
- Sow When:
Temperate Regions: Spring to early summer (September–December).
Subtropical Regions: Spring (September–November).
Tropical Regions: Early wet season (November–January). - Germination: 5–12 days
- Depth: 0.5–1 cm deep
- Position: Full sun to partial shade
- Sow Where: Directly into garden beds, paddocks, or fields
- Soil Type: Well-drained soil, pH 6–7.5
- Spacing: Broadcast evenly or drill rows 20–30 cm apart
Management:
- Water regularly until established; Phacelia grows vigorously with consistent moisture.
- Cut or mow before flowering (usually 6–8 weeks after sowing) to maximise biomass incorporation and prevent seeding.
- Allow residues to decompose for 2–4 weeks before planting your next crop.
Harvest and Incorporation:
Chop and till Phacelia into the soil before planting the next crop to boost nutrient content, improve soil structure, and support microbial activity.
When to Sow Phacelia in Your Climate
| Climate Zone | Best Planting Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Temperate | September–December | Sow when soil temperatures are warming. Cut before flowering to maximise soil benefits. |
| Subtropical | September–November | Plant in early spring for rapid growth and optimal flowering. |
| Tropical | November–January | Sow at the start of the wet season for best establishment and growth. |
Quick Growing Guide
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Germination Time | 5–12 days |
| Sowing Depth | 0.5–1 cm |
| Watering | Keep soil moist until seedlings are established. |
| Growth Period | 6–8 weeks |
| Incorporation | Chop and dig into soil 2–4 weeks before planting the next crop. |