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Re: Green crops

Ian,

I live in a maritime climate which, I think, is similar to yours.  Cool,
rainy winters with warm, relatively dry summers.  My soil type is a
silty clay.  I get the best success with Broad Beans, which we call Fava
Beans in the U.S.  They stand up well to the high moisture and can stand
temperatures below zero C, which we have fairly often in winter.  Our
normal extreme lows are -5 deg C (about 22F) although we have hit -15
(near zero F) some years and the beans did not survive those temps very
well unless they had snow cover -- which is rare.

Alfalfa does quite well in drier soils.  Mustard would be good if you
can be sure to chop it before it goes to seed and becomes a weed.  I
have no experience with lupin.  Broad beans, lupin and alfalfa are all
nitrogen-fixers, of course, which is an added bonus.

You also might consider corn salad (lamb's lettuce in the U.S.) or a
Japanese mustard called Tyfon.  Neither fix N, but they are both edible.

Steve  (Maritime...)



Ian Gill wrote:
> 
> Hi guys.... I wonder if group members would be prepared to share their
> experiences growing winter green crops? I'm in a good position this year to
> begin this practice but I'm at a loss as to what would be best - alfalfa,
> mustard or lupins.
> 
> Regards  Ian Gill
>                          Westland   New Zealand
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