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Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
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Author:  Simo [ Tue Feb 02, 2010 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
I though I would start a topic on green manure and I am keen on organic soil improvement.

I personally like Lupins and Tagasaste (tree lucerne) as they grow well in a hot dry climate like mine and are both high protien animal fodder while also being excellent nitrogen fixers.

Here are two Tagasaste I grew from seed to plant around a chook pen for shade, roosting and chook fodder

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Tagasaste is a non-native legume tree which also makes a great fast growing wind break or high hedge which can be trimmed by livestock if planted between two fences spaced the desired width of the hedge.
Author:  dufflight [ Tue Feb 02, 2010 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
I've got a pack of 120 legume tree seed and a bag on inoculant. Been trying to find time to pot them. Did put in a large area of lucerne. Its great you just cut some to put as mulch around trees etc. Later when I dig that area in it will have better soil.
Author:  veggie boy [ Tue Feb 02, 2010 10:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
I've never done any good with tree lucerne in my climate, which is pretty much sub-tropical (though tending to temperate in winter). I thought tree lucerne was a temperate crop so am suprised you have done so well with it.

I like pigeon pea for my tree type legume and have used various as dig in green manure crops including cow pea, jap millett and others I can't think of right now :lol:
Author:  chillidude [ Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
The dog doesn't look too happy about the "collar of shame" there Simo !
Author:  Simo [ Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
If he didn't want to be photographed he shouldn't have sat in front of the camera, he is just a big poser.
Author:  chillidude [ Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
:lol:
Author:  earthbound [ Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
Did you scarify your tagasaste seed? Mitch tried planting some but didn;t have any luck with germination, I thought perhaps they needed scarifying, that's probably a whole new thread isn't it, scarifying seed.....
Author:  veggie boy [ Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
I scarified mine. Germination rates were still poor, but my main problem has always been getting them to grow past a real small thing that ends up getting eaten by a possum or shrivelling up and dying. I've given up for things that do better. I think pigeon pea are great.
Author:  dufflight [ Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
Scarifying. My mile a minute seeds I had to get a bastard file to and then soak for 4 hrs in warm water. Got a book somewhere that shows how to germinate/propagate 1500 or more different plants.
Author:  Simo [ Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
earthbound wrote:
Did you scarify your tagasaste seed? Mitch tried planting some but didn;t have any luck with germination, I thought perhaps they needed scarifying, that's probably a whole new thread isn't it, scarifying seed.....


Well when I said I grew them from seed it was just easier than explaining the whole story.

Near my parents farm in Bindoon is a large sandpit they have use of and being gutless white and yellow sand the area was planted out with tagasaste about 30 years ago to improve the soil before it became a sandpit (and you can really see the improvement in the top soil). Anywho when ever Dad brings me down a load of sand for landscaping I ask for the top soil which is usually discarded in a sand pit as it has undesirable organic matter. The top soil has heaps of tagasaste seeds from over the years, I just re-pot those that germinate in the disturbed topsoil when exposed to the spring rain and warmth.

So I guess the seeds undergo a natural scarification before they germinate, I probably had 30 germinate this year but only kept two as I can get more when I need them.

I also have one that germinated in spring under my AP system that is thriving despite never being watered and we have been about 80 days without rain, so they can do well in a hot dry climate.
Author:  veggie boy [ Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Green manure (its not mouldy poo)
Cool - might have to give them another go.
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