Features of growing lupine as green manure and when is the best time to sow it

Gardeners have returned to the old method of restoring soil nutrients - with plants. As a green manure, they plant lupine in their own plots. Perennial varieties of this species are used when the soil rests for a long time. Annual varieties are planted before planting or after harvesting. The plant has proven itself not only as a green manure for the soil. Some varieties of lupine are used as fertilizer.

What is good about lupine, as a green manure

Over time, the soil in the garden and vegetable garden is depleted. Restore the nutritional properties of the soil with fertilizers or planting green manure. One of the representatives of such plants is lupine.

Minuses

A plant planted as green manure can be harmful if the requirements of agricultural technology are not met:

1. Green manure is mowed in a timely manner. The delay leads to thickening of the stem and prolonged decomposition. This leads to the process of rotting, the formation of fungal and viral diseases.
2. Lupine seeds are scattered around the site rather than planted in rows. This planting scheme protects the soil from weeds.
3. Avoid neglect of plantings and do not grow to maximum growth. During decomposition, green manure produces a large amount of nitrogen. Future crops simply “burn out” when planted.
4. Predecessors of the same family are excluded, since the soil tends to retain common pests.

All types of lupine contain toxic alkaloids to varying degrees..

pros

Gardeners often choose lupine to restore soil for its positive characteristics:

1. Thanks to its long roots, it draws nutrients from the depths to the surface without disturbing the top nutrient layer of the earth.
2. Enriches the soil with nutrients, microelements, and oxygen.
3. Quickly increases green mass.
4. Green manure loves soil with an acidic reaction, turning it alkaline over time.
5. An unpretentious plant. Requires minimal care.
6. Makes the soil loose and healthy. Kills harmful bacteria thanks to the element in its composition - lupinine.
7. Autumn plantings retain snow and preserve the integrity of the site from erosion.

Correct technology and care will lead to rapid restoration of the soil.

What elements does it enrich the soil with?

When grass decomposes in the soil, nitrogen is formed - up to 20 grams per square meter. As a result, the soil is enriched with nitrogen fertilizer. Nutrient components are released: organic matter, potassium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur. Due to these elements, the soil is restored.

Interaction with other cultures

Using lupine as green manure, you should not plant other crops for the same purpose. The plant copes alone with the assigned tasks. Otherwise, different cultures will begin to fight for better conditions. Neighborhood will lead to negative consequences.

Lupine is sometimes planted between rows between vegetables - this is the right decision. Moreover, in this case, all varieties of green manure are suitable. The grass will provide high yield to the crop. The main thing is to cut off green manure in time.

What type of plant is used as fertilizer?

Of all the varieties of lupine, the narrow-leaved variety is chosen as a fertilizer because of the special substance in the root. The plant is characterized by rapid growth of green mass and development of the root system. It requires minimal maintenance. 2-3 years after planting and plowing narrow-leaved lupine, the top layer of soil is saturated with nitrogen and useful microelements, and a loose soil structure is formed.

Popular varieties used as fertilizer: Vityaz, Smena, Beloozerny, Crystal, Siderat 38, Nadezhda, Snezhet, Raduzhny.

Types and description of varieties of annual lupine

The Legume family, which includes lupine, has up to 200 subspecies. There are perennial and annual varieties.They grow like herbaceous and semi-shrub plants. Annual herbaceous varieties are chosen as green manure in Russia. Three types are used in agriculture: yellow, white, blue. Among perennial varieties popular multileaf lupineas an ornamental plant.

White Lupinus albus

The white lupine species is grown in the southern regions. Since the plant is heat-loving, it stretches up to 2 meters. Likes to grow in sunny areas. The leaves are large and always directed towards the sun. They have an obovate shape. The leaf blade is fleecy below, smooth above. Whorled and alternate inflorescences are collected in a spike, 30 centimeters long. When ripe, bean pods contain 5-6 white seeds.

It is grown as green manure and animal feed. It contains fewer alkaloids than its counterparts. Known subspecies: Degas, Desnyansky, Gamma.

Blue and narrow-leaved Lupinus angustifolius

The species blue or narrow-leaved lupine is frost-resistant. Extends up to 1.5 meters. Spike-shaped inflorescences, depending on the variety, are blue, purple, pink, and white.

The root goes to a depth of 1.5 meters. Narrow-leaved varieties are used as green manure and fertilizer. Rarely used for decorative purposes. For example, the Sidirat 38 variety is used only as a fertilizer. It contains derivatives of ethyl alcohol.

Known varieties of this species: Nemchinovsky, Rozovy 399, Crystal.

Yellow Lupinus luteus

Compared to other species, yellow lupine is stunted in growth. The stem extends up to one meter. Loves warm regions, can withstand light frosts (-5 degrees). The soil for planting is sandy loam, sandy, with a neutral reaction. The species is demanding on lighting and watering.

Famous varieties: Fakel, Academichesky, Peresvet and Grodno, Prestige.

Basic principles of cultivation

When planting, predecessors and planting time are taken into account. In the future, the grass requires weed removal and timely mowing.

Before which crops should I use?

The plant is sown in one place for no more than 4 years. Undesirable precursors are perennial legumes, cruciferous crops, cereals, and leguminous crops. Common pests and diseases persist in the soil.

Timing and technology of sowing

In the spring, as soon as a stable temperature without frost is established, the grass is sown in open ground. In the autumn, plantings are sown after harvesting vegetables or in August.

First option

The area is cleared of weeds, the seeds are scattered over the surface of the field and the soil is loosened so that the seeds are at a depth of 4-10 centimeters. In order for the seeds to germinate better, they are scarified before planting.

Second option

In furrows with a step of 5-15 centimeters between seeds, 15-30 - in rows. Planting depth is 4-10 centimeters. One hundred square meters requires 3 kilograms of planting material.

Plant care rules

Weeds appear faster than crops. Therefore, they are regularly removed from the site. To do this, use a lightweight harrow and rake to harrow the soil 4 days after sowing. The second loosening is carried out when the seedlings grow 10-15 centimeters. The third treatment is repeated after 7 days. Watering is carried out as the soil dries out.

When to clean

The main condition for growing green manure is timely mowing. At 55-60 days after sowing, green manure is cut off. Lupine should not be allowed to bloom. The inflorescences will take all the nutrients.

Green manure is mowed in cloudy morning weather. After mowing, the grass is cut and left on the field.If the weather is dry, the area is watered and covered with earth. Thick stems are selected and sent to the compost pit. Autumn crops are mowed in October, before the onset of frost.

Possible difficulties when growing crops

It happens that lupine does not want to grow on the site. The reason lies in the composition of the soil. Before planting, test the soil for acidity. Lupine does not grow in alkaline soil. Only on acidic, neutral.

Weeds sprout earlier than green manure. Remove weeds while the seedlings are small. In the future, the plants will “kill” all the weed. Young seedlings need watering. Adult specimens no longer need watering, since the roots go to a greater depth.