Forage Rye Green Manure can be used anywhere in crop rotation plans and is one of the best for over wintering.
It’s an excellent nitrogen lifter and it can lift and release up to 90% of nitrate to the next crop. Rye has deep penetrative roots that help to break up heavy soils and so improve soil structure. It is brilliant at suppressing weeds as it grows quickly and continues to grow in cold conditions. It suits most soils and copes especially well with heavy clay ones.
It is quite hard to dig in after winter (good exercise though!) so either loosen roots one day and then dig in a couple of days later, or cut down foliage, then cover with a light excluding mulch such as black plastic for 3 weeks and it will be easier to dig in. The foliage can also be added to your compost. Please note that rye releases a chemical that inhibits the growth of the next crop, so a month should be left after digging it in and before planting the next crop.
Sow August to November and dig in in early spring.
