October update from Mossy Willow Farm

It is a beautiful time of year at Mossy Willow- the apple trees are in blossom, there are families of wood ducks on the ponds and summer crops are starting to flower getting ready to fruit very soon. It is a busy time of year, harvesting spring crops as well as planting those crops that love the heat, plus mulching to conserve water in anticipation of a dry summer.

Green Manure Crops

We have just sown one of our large beds with a spring/summer green manure crop. Green manure crops are a fast, effective way of improving soil, building on the soil’s structure, nutrient levels and adding plenty of organic matter to feed the worms and beneficial soil microorganisms.

As the crop grows, it protects the soil from the summer heat while roots penetrate the soil, aerating it and bringing deep minerals to the surface.

They are grown to flowering stage, when they provide habitat, nectar, and pollen for beneficial insects, and just before they begin to set seed, they are slashed and turned into the soil, or used as mulch for the next planting.

Summer Green Manure Crop Recipe

Millet
Buckwheat
Radish
Beetroot
Coriander
Rocket
Endive
Beans
Mung beans
Sunflowers- for some added colour