Organic green manure and cover plants

Like any other plant, growing cannabis takes a lot of work and dedication. Different cannabis growers use different means to achieve the common goal of harvesting healthy cannabis. Most growers plant their cannabis in modified soils, which are usually airy and light. For some, straws serve as a tool to help retain moisture. For others, cover crops are essential for growing cannabis. Speaking of catch crops: Many farmers use these crops in the growing process. So what are cover crops? How do you qualify as organic gardener’s green manure? What advantages do they offer cannabis growers? This article will tell you everything you need to know about catch crops and how to use them as green manure.

Cover crops and green manure

While they are used interchangeably, catch crops and green manure are different concepts. Both catch crops and green manure are used by farmers to improve the soil, thereby promoting fertility and structure. However, their difference lies in the form they take. Below is a clear definition of both concepts.

Cover crops

Catch crops are plants that are grown to improve the structure of the soil, increase its fertility and at the same time isolate the plants. As the name suggests, catch crops act as a canopy for plants protecting them from inclement weather. Catch crops help plants grow better while protecting them from the elements. Catch crop insulation keeps the soil warm in winter and cool in summer.

Green manure

Green manures are plants that serve as fertilizer and provide the soil with nutrients. Green manure occurs when fresh catch crops are introduced into the soil. The green manure then increases the levels of organic matter and nutrients in the soil and helps the plants grow better.

Cover crops as green manure for the organic gardener

Catch crops are often referred to as “green manure”. This is because they are usually grown for the main purpose of being used as green manure. Catch crops are very important in organic farming as they replace the use of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. There are certain benefits associated with using catch crops as green manure for growing. Some of these benefits are discussed below:

Benefits of cover crops for cannabis plants

• Prevention of erosion: Catch crops are important to prevent erosion and leaching. Catch crops help prevent soil erosion by providing adequate coverage. The body of the catch crops protects the soil from the scorching sun and heavy rain. The roots of the catch crops also hold soil particles in place, hold them in place and prevent erosion. Catch crops reduce the leaching of nutrients by drawing them into your body and locking them in. Once incorporated into the soil, they release these nutrients as they slowly decompose. In this way, they provide your cannabis plants with nutrients.

• Provision of nutrients: As mentioned earlier, catch crops provide important organic matter and nutrients for the soil. Different types of catch crops provide the soil with different nutrients depending on the needs of the farmer. Legumes, which serve as catch crops, add nitrogen to the soil. Lupine and buckwheat, on the other hand, release phosphorus into the soil. Other nutrients such as iron, calcium and potassium can also be obtained from catch crops.

• Weed control: Catch crops are very effective as a weed control method and a better alternative to herbicides. Catch crops perform weed control functions by changing the growth patterns of weeds and thereby interrupting their cycle. Another way to stop weeds from growing is to compete with them. They’re usually very plants that allow them to displace the weeds for space, nutrients, and water. Some catch crops also contain chemicals that cause the allelopathic effect. The allelopathic effect involves the release of harmful chemicals from the roots of the catch crops. These chemicals stunt the weeds from growing and block their seeds from germinating, which eventually leads to their termination.

• Improvement of the soil structure: One benefit of catch crops that most people don’t recognize is their ability to improve soil structure. Catch crops improve the soil structure by adding organic matter to the soil. These organic matter then form soil aggregates by binding the soil particles together. The process that leads to larger soil particles encourages pore formation. With pore formation, processes such as water retention, nutrient distribution and proper soil aeration are properly carried out. Catch crops also loosen clumps of soil that inhibit the growth of soft plants. Cannabis plants grown in such soils have access to all of the nutrients in the soil while also having a strong root system.

How to use cover crops for growing cannabis

If you intend to reap the benefits of cover crops for your cannabis plants, it is important to do so correctly. Common catch crops to grow include mustard, cereals, buckwheat, clover, and more. The use of catch crops as green manure corresponds to the use as fertilizer. Sow the seeds of the catch crops they care for until they bloom. For normal plants, wait for them to start blooming before using them. For grains, care for them until they begin to develop seed heads. When using catch crops as a green manure, it is crucial that you kill them before they ripen. That way, they still contain all of their nutrients to ensure their effectiveness as a fertilizer for your cannabis plants. When they are about to ripen, mow over the plants and let the clippings dry for a few days. You can also cut them with a trimmer. Once the clippings are dry, dig up the soil and put it in the ground. You can also simply mill the clippings into the ground.

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Catch crops could be the missing piece in finding the right cannabis grow. Follow the steps outlined above and you can be rest assured that you will have a healthy harvest.

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