White mustard as a green manure: when to sow in the fall, when to dig

Mustard is considered a green manure crop; it perfectly enriches the soil, saturating it with nutrients. It can also combat certain pests, such as wireworms.

Many people sow it in the fall, but to achieve positive results, you need to know when to do it and carry out all the necessary care measures for the crop.

Mustard as a green manure

This annual plant belongs to the cruciferous family. Many gardeners use it as a soil fertilizer. It grows in virtually any soil, regardless of pH. The seeds resemble small beans; they sprout within a week of sowing, and within 30 days, the plant reaches approximately 25 centimeters in height. Due to its vigorous growth, it is one of the three most effective green manures for autumn cultivation. The plant's root system expands rapidly and reaches an impressive depth, which helps loosen the soil and improves air permeability.

Both the roots and the aboveground portion contain easily digestible substances. The crop's composition allows it to be classified as a naturally occurring vermicompost. Most often, it is sown to fertilize the substrate. white mustard.

Advantages and disadvantages of autumn sowing

Even gardeners with no experience growing various crops can handle this task. The main purpose of green manure is to enrich the soil with nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. When dug, the above-ground portion of the plant enriches the soil with these elements. These nutrients are then easily absorbed by the newly planted crops in the new season.

Advantages

• high germination rates and active growth;
• frost resistance, plants can withstand temperatures down to minus five degrees;
• the seed material does not require advance preparation;
• the crop protects plantings from slugs and prevents the invasion of Colorado beetles;
• where green manure was grown, weeds grow less frequently;
• The essential oils contained in the plant will help destroy pathogens causing late blight and scab in the soil;
• the plant is able to absorb even those substances that are inaccessible to other crops;
• Sowing mustard before winter is an excellent preventative against erosion; where there is a risk of soil erosion, the crop is sown densely.

Flaws

• If you don't mow the plants in time, they will bloom, and the seeds will spread with the help of the wind, fall into the soil and sprout, in the future the mustard will grow like a weed and it will be quite difficult to get rid of it;
• this green manure is not suitable as a predecessor for cruciferous crops (cabbage, turnips, radishes);

How and when to sow mustard in the fall to improve the soil

Sowing is usually done after harvest or just before winter. The procedure is fairly simple and doesn't require any special skills or knowledge, as long as you follow crop rotation rules. If the plot was previously growing cabbage or radishes, it's best to sow other green manure crops there.

Early sowing

If you plan to plant mustard in the fall, do it as early as possible. Why not wait until the entire harvest? It can be sown gradually. The sooner the plants are planted, the more green mass they will gain. Naturally, the better the soil will be fertilized.

Before planting mustard, the soil should be loosened slightly, to a depth of 5-10 cm. Then, moisten and bury the seeds to a depth of 2-4 cm. Typically, 500 g of seeds is enough for a 100 m² plot. Once the seedlings emerge, the crop requires no special care. Should mustard be dug up in the fall? Each gardener decides for themselves. Some mow the mustard after it has grown sufficiently and bury it in the soil. Others sow the seeds later and simply dig up the entire plot in the spring.

Late sowing

To ensure seedlings emerge in the spring, mustard should be sown in the fall, before the cold weather sets in. However, be careful not to allow the seedlings to emerge. With the arrival of spring, the sown mustard will emerge early and grow quickly, reaching maturity long before it's time to plant the seedlings.

Afterwards, the seedlings are mown, allowed to dry slightly, and dug into the soil to a depth of 15 centimeters. After some time, seedlings can be planted in the same area.

White mustard as a fertilizer and care for it

This variety of mustard will protect the plot from weeds and enrich the soil with minerals and microelements. However, sowing the crop in poor, unprepared soil will not yield results. Sowing green manure is no substitute for applying fertilizers such as humus or compost. To ensure healthy and fertile soil, a comprehensive approach is required.

This plant is easy to care for and will grow in any location, but it thrives best in well-drained soil. Growth slows in heavy soil. It thrives in both partial shade and full sun, provided it receives long hours of daylight.

Seedlings emerge at temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in 3-5 days. If you sow mustard in late fall (for winter), allow the temperature to drop below these levels. If sown early, a green carpet will cover the ground within a month, followed by buds. Flowering usually begins after 6-7 weeks and is long-lasting. No additional fertilizing is necessary. Water the garden only when necessary, if the soil begins to dry out.

When should you dig up mustard when sowing in the fall, and is it necessary?

Agronomists disagree on whether mustard needs to be dug up. Some don't understand the need, as it will do its job over the winter, and in the spring all that's left is to plow the garden. However, this only applies to late planting. If you sow mustard in early fall, you can dig it up, as it's best to prevent it from flowering.

The plants are mown 30-45 days after planting, and then incorporated into the soil. If there is no precipitation, the fertilized area is watered to promote the decomposition of organic matter. Earthworms and other microorganisms participate in this process, and they are found only in moist substrates.

Digging rules

Following a few rules will help you achieve the desired result:

1. Agronomists recommend digging up the plant before winter, as this will allow the soil to be enriched with nutrients during the cold period.
2. The best method for digging is to use a method called “clod rotation.”
3. All green mass must be incorporated into the soil.
4. The soil must be kept moist.
5. Before digging, it is necessary to remove all weeds.

Conclusion

Sowing seeds is a simple and straightforward process. Minimal care is required, only occasional watering during drought. However, it's important to remember that sowing green manure is no substitute for organic fertilizer. If done correctly, the yield of your crops should increase as early as the following season.