What green manure is best for restoring soil after potatoes: tips for summer residents

The use of green manure has become popular among summer residents as an effective way to restore the soil after harvest. This method is especially relevant for land plots where potatoes were grown, as this crop depletes the soil.

Thanks to green manure, the soil is saturated with organic matter, its fertility is restored, and it is protected from erosion and pests. Planting such plants allows you to do without chemical fertilizers and preserve the natural structure of the soil, experts say.

What are green manure crops?

Green manure, or "green fertilizers," performs a number of important functions: it enriches the soil with organic matter, protects it from freezing and erosion, and prevents weed growth. A special feature of such crops is their ability to prevent the development of pests and diseases that accumulate in the soil during the cultivation of other plants.

In particular, experienced farmers recommend sowing green manure in the fall after harvesting potatoes, which helps maintain soil quality throughout the year.

Soil improvement

The most popular option for soil improvement is winter rye, which has high adaptive properties and grows well on any type of soil. Rye develops quickly, forming a thick green mass that prevents erosion and retains moisture. An important advantage of rye is its resistance to frost, which makes it ideal for sowing in the fall.

Another useful green manure after potatoes is mustard. It enriches the soil with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are especially needed in depleted soil. In addition, mustard has a deep, branched root system that loosens the soil, which avoids water stagnation and the development of root rot. Mustard is also effective against potato pests, including nematodes.

Increase the nitrogen content

Oats are also often used, as they also have a positive effect on the soil, enriching it with organic matter. It is recommended to sow oats in a mixture with legumes to increase the nitrogen content. Such sowing ensures effective soil restoration and preparation for the upcoming planting season.

Before sowing green manure, it is important to prepare the soil properly. After harvesting the potatoes, the area should be cleaned, leveled with a harrow and, if necessary, tilled with a tiller or plow. It is better to sow green manure in September so that the plants have time to get stronger before winter. For summer sowing (in July-August), it is recommended to make mowing before winter, which can be used as animal feed or for mulching the soil.

Seeding rates

Each type of green manure has its own sowing rates. For example, mustard is sown with a distance of 10 cm between seeds, and rye is sown with a row spacing of 15 cm. Depending on the sowing method, oats require different amounts of seeds: with the row method – 1000 g per 100 square meters, and with the scatter method - 2000 g.

In small areas, green manure can be sown by hand, but this does not always ensure even distribution and penetration of the seeds. For larger areas, we recommend using a seed drill. Special small-grain and grain seeders designed for sowing green manure allow to accurately dose the seeds and sow them evenly to the desired depth.

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