Plants from the legume family can greatly improve the condition of depleted soil. Legume green manures provide the soil with the necessary amount of nitrogen, thereby restoring its fertility. The choice of green manure depends on the soil available on the site. There is a suitable green manure for each type of soil. It is very important to make the right choice of leguminous plant..
The best siderates from the legume family
Fodder beans
The plant has a strong root system and a straight fleshy stem. It can be planted on various soils – marshy, clayey and podzolic. This annual plant is able to reduce the acidity of the soil and saturate it with sufficient nitrogen. Broad beans keep weeds out.
One hundred square meters of land will require approximately 2.5 kg of seeds of this herbaceous plant. As a result, the soil of this area will contain about 60 g of nitrogen, about 25 g of phosphorus and almost 60 g of potassium..
Broad beans are frost-resistant crops. They are able to grow at air temperatures up to 8 degrees below zero. This means that the plants can be safely planted after harvesting the main harvest on the site, and they will have time to grow up to severe frosts and winter cold.
Vika
The vetch is a climbing plant that needs support in the form of another more resilient crop. Often this green manure is sown together with oats, which becomes such a support. The plant has small purple flowers. The advantages of vetch over other green manure plants in the rapid growth of green mass. Therefore, vetch can be sown in early spring, before planting vegetables..
This herbaceous plant prevents the spread of weeds and the destruction of the soil. It grows only on neutral soils. 10 square meters of land will require 1.5 kg of seeds. As a result, the soil will be enriched with nitrogen (more than 150 g), phosphorus (more than 70 g) and potassium (200 g).
Mowing of this leguminous green manure is carried out during the period of bud formation or at the very beginning of flowering. For growing tomatoes and cabbage, vetch is the best precursor.
Peas
Peas are also a green manure that quickly gains green mass. This green fertilizer grows in just a month and a half, but it is very afraid of night frosts. A slight drop in air temperature is not dangerous for him.
Peas are best sown in August when most of the harvest is harvested. It is recommended to mow the plant during the period of bud formation. Peas thrive on moist, neutral soils. This legume green manure renews the composition of the soil and improves its air exchange. The soil becomes loose and easily absorbs moisture.
10 square meters of land will require 2-3 kg of seeds, which in the future will improve the soil composition by 115 g of nitrogen, 70 g of phosphorus and more than 210 g of potassium.
Donnik
In the legume family, there is an annual and biennial sweet clover. A biennial sweet clover is usually used as a green manure. The plant has a tall (more than 1 meter) branched stem with fragrant small yellow flowers, which bees love to feast on..
The plant is not afraid of cold weather and drought. Its root system penetrates deep into the soil and from there extracts numerous useful elements. Melilot can grow on soils of different composition. He is able to improve their fertility, improve the composition. This herb is an excellent pest control agent..
This legume green manure is sown at the end of the summer season, grown, but not mown in the fall, but left until spring. The overwintered sweet clover grows very quickly with the arrival of spring heat. It must be mown before flowering. The seeds of the plant are small. For one hundred square meters of land, they will need about 200 g. On a plot with such an area, the melilot contains from 150 to 250 g of nitrogen, almost 100 g of phosphorus and from 100 to 300 g of potassium.
Lupine annual
Lupine is a herbaceous plant that is considered the best green manure. The plant has finger-like leaves, erect stems and small flowers of a lilac or purple hue, collected in inflorescences. Its main distinguishing feature is its unusually deep and long roots (up to 2 meters).
Lupine can grow in any soil. He is able to improve, renew and restore the structure of the most depleted and poor soil. Its root system makes the soil loose and easily accessible for moisture and air..
The plant must be sown in early spring or late summer. At the initial stage, lupine requires abundant and regular watering. Siderat is subjected to mowing after about 2 months, but always before budding. It is a great precursor for strawberries and strawberries..
For 10 square meters of land, 2-3 kg of seeds will be required, depending on the variety. This legume contains nitrogen (200 to 250 grams), phosphorus (55-65 g) and potassium (180-220 g).
Alfalfa
This plant is perennial, loves moisture and warmth. Alfalfa is able to regulate the acidity of the soil and provide it with all the necessary organic components. Very demanding in the choice of soil. It will not grow on swampy, rocky and heavy soils with a lot of clay.
At the initial stage of growth, the plant needs abundant and regular watering to quickly build up green mass. With a lack of moisture, alfalfa begins to bloom ahead of time, and the amount of greenery remains minimal. Cut off the green manure before bud formation.
100-150 g of alfalfa seeds are enough for one hundred square meters of land.
Seradella
This moisture-loving legume green manure belongs to annual plants. For its cultivation, weather with frequent rains and low temperatures and a shady area are suitable. It tolerates small frosts well. Can grow on any soil other than acidic.
Saradella is sown in early spring and after 40-45 days it builds up the necessary green mass. It is mown and left for a new build-up of greenery..
The plant contributes to the renewal and improvement of the soil composition, and also repels harmful insects. Prefers to grow in humid climates or constant high humidity.
On a plot of one hundred square meters, from 400 to 500 g of plant seeds are consumed. The soil composition is improved by at least 100 g of nitrogen, about 50 g of phosphorus and more than 200 g of potassium.
Sainfoin
Sainfoin green manure is a perennial plant that can grow in one place for 7 years. He is not afraid of frosts, cold winds and drought-resistant weather. In the first year, sainfoin builds up the root system, all his strength goes only to this. But in subsequent years, green manure is increasing a large amount of green fertilizer..
A distinctive feature of the plant is its ability to grow in rocky areas due to its powerful root system. The length of its roots reaches 10 m in depth. From such a depth, the roots get useful organic substances inaccessible to other plants..
To sow a plot of one hundred square meters, you will need about 1 kg of seeds.