A practical guide to growing green manures.

Soil fertility is a primary factor influencing the yield and quality of organic crops and a key to the sustainability of organic farms. Green manures, a type of cover crop planted primarily for the purpose of improving soil fertility, are a critical management strategy for Prairie organic farmers. The adoption of a reliable, efficient and effective green manure program is a key component in not only supporting new grower transition to organic, but also in optimizing the yield and quality of prairie grains.

Tool Kit Contents

  1. What is a Green Manure?
  2. What Can Green Manures Do for You?
  3. Soil and Climate Considerations
  4. Rotation Considerations
  5. Farm Type Considerations
  6. Management Considerations
  7. Making the Decision
  8. Green Manure Selection Tools
  9. More Resources

Begin Module 1

  1. Alfalfa
  2. Red Clover
  3. Sweet Clover
  4. Faba Bean
  5. Field Pea
  6. Lentil
  7. Chickling Vetch
  8. Hairy Vetch
  9. Legume-Cereal Mixes
  10. Hairy Vetch-Barley Mix
  11. Pea-Oat Mix
  12. More Resources

Begin Module 2

  1. Rotational Strategies
  2. Planting Strategies
  3. Inoculation
  4. Pest Management
  5. Termination Strategies
  6. Managing Challenges
  7. More Resources

Begin Module 3

  1. Green Manure and the Weed Management Program
  2. Green Manure Options for Weed Management
  3. Green Manure Management for Weed Suppression
  4. More Resources

Begin Module 4

  1. Green Manure Resource Tool for Professionals

Begin Module 5

Back to Resources

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The Green Manure Toolkit was Developed by the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada.