Green Manure

This practice consists of growing annual plants between the rows and using them as green manure. The cover crops are generally planted after preparing the seedbed, (September-November), and mowed and shredded in the pre or post-flowering phase.  Aim is to increase soil organic matter, to stimulate soil biological activity or to improve soil physical characteristics; to catch or keep valuable nutrients; to protect the soil from erosion; to interrupt pest and disease cycles; to manage weeds; to provide an additional food source for pollinators like honey bees. Every year, it is important to alternate the rows with the cover cropping and change the seed mix.