Oats as green manure

The land in the garden does not always meet all the necessary requirements, for example, it contains too much sand or clay. It is quite possible to correct its physical properties by planting the so-called green manure crops. These plants are specially designed for the preparation of humus, which can have a beneficial effect on the composition of the soil.

Oats are a popular crop and are often used as a good green manure. It has a lot of advantages, but there are also some disadvantages. First, we will find out what the main advantages of this plant are.

• Oats are inexpensive. The seeds of this crop are sold at many points of sale. They can be found not only in specialized retail outlets.
• Oats are high in potassium. This mineral is required by plants for fast and healthy growth. It is formed from the green mass of oats. In young seedlings, the percentage of potassium is increased by about 3-5 times, therefore many people resort to mowing green manure without waiting for the seeds to ripen. The best soil after oats may be for tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. It is not worth planting potatoes, as there will be wireworms in large quantities. It appears from cereals.
• To obtain nitrogen in large quantities, they usually turn to a mixed crop type, combining alfalfa, vetch or clover with cereals. In this way, gardeners can independently adjust the percentage of the required substances.
• The root system of cereals can produce special substances in the ground that help prevent fungus and rot.
• The roots are distinguished by a lobular structure, due to which they contribute to loosening the upper fertile layer, significantly lightening it and making it "breathable".
• The germination rate of oat seeds is high, which interferes with the active growth of weeds.

However, oats are not ideal crops. If you decide to grow it on your site in order to use it later as a green manure, you should know if it can do any harm.

• Oats are a crop that lacks nitrogen richness. The lack of this substance can be compensated for if it is additionally introduced into the soil on its own. Plants are especially acutely aware of the lack of nitrogen in the spring, since during the spring preparation of the site it is important to take care of the saturation of the fertile soil layer with nitrogen compounds.
• If you live in a region where there is a hot and arid climate, then growing oats here may be a waste of time - in such conditions, this culture will not grow well, will not take root and will simply dry out.

Many summer residents use oats as green manure. Often, gardeners and gardeners wonder what kind of this culture is more suitable for such an application. The green manure loved by most summer residents is winter oats. This crop can lead to excellent green growth in a short period.For this reason, the owners of the site can safely refuse to introduce organic or mineral compounds.

Spring oats can also be used as a vegetable gardening agent, but keep in mind that it usually functions as a mulch when the summer season begins. A natural bedspread can well retain life-giving moisture at the planting rhizomes. At the same time, soil insects are gradually engaged in the processing of plant residues, turning them into humus.

The sowing period of oats, which will subsequently be used as green manure, may be different.

• Spring. Oats are an easy-care and cold-tolerant crop. It is allowed to sow it in early spring immediately after warming up the earth layer on the site.
• Autumn. Oats planted in autumn are usually mowed in the beds, adding a little soil. You shouldn't plant it when frosts come - you need to do it before them.

Once you've met the correct sowing time, the next thing you should be aware of is how and when it will need to be mowed. You must act strictly according to the instructions so as not to make mistakes. The procedure will depend on the season.

You should not wait for the moment when the soil is completely dry. Oats love moisture, so they are usually planted without waiting for the soil to dry. A sufficient volume of water guarantees a good and fast growth of the cereal crop, and with it a rapid growth of green mass. For this reason, if the weather is dry in spring and summer, more frequent watering should be provided.

If you decide to sow green manures in the fall season, you can do this immediately after clearing the site. Before starting, you need to thoroughly prepare the territory: remove the rhizomes of perennial weeds from the ground, get rid of all the garbage. Siderata are planted as lawn grass - either in bulk or in rows. This or that method should be applied in accordance with the planning and subsequent cultivation of other crops.

It is allowed to sow oats in the role of future green manure in early autumn, before frosts come. It is only important to calculate the time it will take for its growth, because, although it is cold-resistant, severe frosts will definitely not benefit it. Therefore, it is never sown before winter, as can be done with rye.

According to the rules, it is recommended to mow the considered cereal crop at the moment when it has time to build up the green mass. Just during the flowering period, the maximum amount of useful elements is concentrated in green manure plants. In the case of oats, this occurs in the early stages of mowing. Having cut off the green manure, it is thrown on the ground as mulch, mixed with the ground, cutting the roots to a depth of 5-7 cm.

Cereals that were planted in the spring season should be mowed no later than 2 weeks before the berries and vegetables are planted. This is due to the fact that all crops emit poisonous elements - colins, which can oppress all other seedlings. A couple of weeks is enough for the hazardous substances to disintegrate and go into the deep layers of the earth without harming the rest of the plantings.

It is also permissible not to mow the cereal crop - during the winter season, it will have time to rot, due to which the necessary fertilizer is formed. A single plowing is enough to chop and mix the oats with the ground.

In spring, as in autumn, it makes sense to mow the overgrown green mass and lay it on the surface of the earth. The greens will gradually rot, feeding the soil with organic components. You can mix the cut oats a little with the ground to a depth of only a few centimeters, no more, so as not to harm the surrounding seedlings. In the spring, on a site well fertilized with useful green manure, it is necessary to dig up certain places for the planned planting.

If the oat crop came out too rich, it is best to move its surplus to a compost pit or put it on the beds in the fall that need additional fertilizers.

Many summer residents use oats as green manure. If done correctly, you can get a very good and natural fertilizer that shows high efficiency. Consider a few useful tips for self-preparing a cereal crop for use as a green manure component.

• If you decide to resort to sowing cereal crops in the summer season, then it is better to refuse this idea. Oats do not like hot weather and do not tolerate it very well. Wait until autumn or spring.
• Oats may well be a good precursor for other popular non-cereal crops. The harvest of green masses, which was sown on 2.5 acres, can be equated to 500 kg of manure.
• Before planting oat seeds on the site, it is recommended to pre-hold them in a solution with potassium permanganate for no more than 20 minutes. After that, they are washed in cold water and dried a little.
• If you decide to plant oats on the site, it is worth considering that its fibrous rhizomes often become an attractive place for wireworms. For this reason, the proximity to root crops should be avoided, and possible risks can be neutralized with mustard.
• When planting oats, keep in mind that this cereal is not designed to withstand high temperatures. If the weather is hot and dry, do not forget to water the plantings to make them feel more comfortable.
• Plant your oats carefully during the fall season. It is advisable to foresee in advance how much time will be spent on the development of plants. Exposure to too low temperatures can also be detrimental to them.
• After completing the work on harvesting from the beds, it is imperative to apply high-quality complex fertilizers. If oat seeds are mixed with vetch, nitrogen doses will be reduced by about 50%. Top dressing must be added, since siderates - oats or other cereals - will need full feed in the fall.
• When planting a cereal crop on a site, it is advisable to adhere to this ratio: 200 g of grain per 1 hundred square meters. It is allowed to sow oats both by hand and with the help of special equipment - each summer resident chooses a more convenient option for himself.
• Oats can be safely sown even on impoverished soils. This culture is unpretentious and does not require ideal "greenhouse conditions". Oats are often planted in shaded areas of the plot where they do well.
• To make the properties of the green mass even better, it is recommended to plant oats together with legumes.
• We must not forget about the correct and sufficient watering of oats in all weather conditions. If you water the crop too sparsely, it will be much more difficult to grow it.
• Oats should not be used as green manure for other cereals. They are strongly discouraged from fertilizing buckwheat, barley or wheat.
• If, after planting oats, the seedlings do not "hatch" for a long time, you can make suitable top dressing. In such cases, nitrate and superphosphate are highly effective. The siderat will not need other care.
• Oat seeds are allowed to buy not only in various retail chains where garden products are sold, but also on the market.

For more on using oats as green manure, see the next video.