The easiest way to great soil (without a wheelbarrow)

And no, it's not 'no dig' - Four years on.

I won’t beat around the nettles; getting straight to it - sow some green manures.

They are not green poo as someone once guessed (no, not me) but plants that you grow, either in bare soil or as a companion crop beneath other plants, to enrich and improve soils.

I haven’t bought in any other material (mulches or composts) since late autumn 2021 when I think the material that I did use caused some issues for me. For nearly four years, I have entirely made my own composts for seed sowing and potting on, and only used green manures to ‘mulch’. This has hugely reduced costs and labour, and I believe, better more resilient plants.

Green manures usually grow fast and are exceptional at driving roots down to find water and nutrients whilst either binding or loosening soil structures. Sounds great doesn’t it?

I for one am convinced.

There is a green manure for pretty much any soil type or problem.

• They prevent weeds by smothering them.

• Prevent soil erosion

• Feeding the soil.

• They also look pretty and some of them I cut for flowers.

• I’ve noticed more diversity in pollinators and beneficial insects.

Some can be left in place for several years.

Let me tell you how I use them, and what benefits i’ve seen in growing them.