White mustard

Mustard's rapid growth is one of the qualities that makes it an excellent green manure, but it's not the only one! Under good conditions, mustard seedlings can reach their full height in just one month. It can therefore be used as a green manure in spring and summer.

• Its deep roots excel at loosening heavy soils and its aerial parts buried in the soil provide the latter with a first-rate supply of nitrogen.
• When buried during full flowering, its role as a nematicide should not be neglected either, especially on a plot where potatoes have been grown.
• Because it grows very quickly and is not afraid of root competition, it covers the soil immediately and protects it from erosion . For faster decomposition, it is buried when young and still tender.
• If you want to attract pollinators with its pretty, bright yellow flowers, allow more time for decomposition in the soil, as it will be less tender. However, do this before the seeds ripen if you don't want it to self-seed readily!
• It can be sown until the end of August , as it tolerates frost .
• As winter approaches, instead of burying it, leave its cut stems on the surface to provide soil life with a protective cover against erosion and cold.
• In spring, earthworms will be encouraged to come to the surface to collect them, aerating the soil in the process. Furthermore, by acting as mulch , they will reduce weed growth.
• Sowing technique : broadcast, followed by a pass with a rake to lightly bury the seeds.
• Seeding rate: 300 g/60 ^m² – 0.6 lb/600 sq ^ft
• Sowing depth : 0.5 to 1 cm.
• Photo credit: Amit Kumar
• Format: 300 g