Green manures are a great way to keep your cannabis crop healthy and productive. They add nitrogen to the soil, help reduce weeds and attract beneficial insects to your garden.
There are many types of green manures to choose from, so it’s important to know what your crop needs. It’s also crucial to consider the type of soil you have.
Fertilize
Crop green manures are a great way to fertilize your soil and give your Cannabis plants the essential nutrients they need. These manures are made from organic or agriculturally produced materials, which can be a better option than industrially manufactured chemical fertilizers because they come from renewable sources and are less environmentally damaging.
The best crop green manures for Cannabis cultivation have a high content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) to promote plant growth. Using these three primary nutrients will allow your Cannabis plants to grow larger, healthier buds, and produce more flowers.
You can also use other nutrients in the soil, such as kelp or fish emulsions to supply the necessary elements for your Cannabis plants. These types of fertilizers contain the main plant nutrients in higher concentrations than typical NPK solutions, making them easier to use and requiring fewer applications.
Another important nutrient for your Cannabis plants is silica, which helps them develop stronger stems and leaves. Silicon can be added to your soil mix, coco, and hydroponic systems as a fertilizer or used as a component in an already-existing nutrient mix.
Fertilizers for Cannabis include products that are specially formulated for specific stages of plant development. These products have a dose guide and a schedule that allows you to apply them at the right times to your Cannabis plants.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) are the most important plant nutrients that Cannabis plants need to thrive. These nutrients are usually in large quantities and known as macronutrients, while other nutrients that are not so essential, such as calcium and magnesium, are called micronutrients.
While all nutrients are beneficial for your Cannabis plants, it is important to choose the right ones. Choosing the wrong ones can harm your plants in the long run.
There are several different kinds of fertilizers available for your Cannabis plants, including powders, liquids, granulars, and sprays. Some of these are designed for indoor growing while others are meant for outdoor cultivation.
Many of the same nutrients are available in both, but it is important to read the label before using any product. You will need to know the percentage of each nutrient and the amount to add to your water.
Prevent Weeds
Weeds are a natural part of the ecosystem, and they can take up space and resources that are needed by plants you want to grow. This can make weed management essential to your biointensive cultivation success. There are many ways to prevent weeds and deter them from overtaking your soil beds.
One of the most effective methods is to use crop green manures to cover your fields with a thick layer of mulch. Mulches protect the soil from water runoff, help prevent erosion, cool the soil slightly, and add organic matter that can be incorporated into the soil to help improve its overall health. They also deter weeds from poking through and competing with your crops for soil nutrients.
To maximize the mulch’s effectiveness, choose a high-quality, organic mulch. You can use straw, grass clippings, or dead leaves. However, be sure that the mulch is not sprayed with herbicides, which can damage your crops and hurt your soil.
Another important weed control strategy involves using a cover crop to suppress weeds for a period of time between your vegetable crops. You can plant a variety of cover crops, including alfalfa or buckwheat. These fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing crops out-compete weeds by taking up nutrients and providing shade that will reduce weed growth for your other crops.
A cover crop should be sown early in the spring to avoid competition with other plants, or late in the summer for warm-season vegetables. You should use a cover crop that is adapted to your area’s climate and soil conditions, which will determine which cover crop works best.
Some of the most common weeds in the country, such as thistle, clover, and dandelion, can be killed by applying vinegar to the tops of their stems and leaves. However, this approach must be used with care because it can corrode metal sprayer parts and can cause serious injury to human skin.
Alternatively, you can place silage tarps on beds to block out light and shade weeds from growing during the time between your harvest and the next planting. This method, known as occultation, has been effective on Jean-Martin Fortier’s farms in Canada and is becoming more popular with farmers around the world.
Deter Pests
When used in conjunction with other green manuring techniques, crop green manures can enhance soil fertility, improve weed management and promote overall healthy growth of the cannabis crop. These plants can also help to deter pests and increase biodiversity in the garden.
One of the most notable benefits of crop green manures is their ability to attract beneficial microbes and invertebrates into the soil. These organisms aerate the soil and improve its porosity, making it easier for nutrients to get in and out.
Another benefit is their ability to hold water, keeping it in the soil and preventing runoff into the surrounding environment. This water retention is essential for the health of all crops and can be particularly beneficial for cannabis cultivation.
Among the most commonly used crop green manures are clover and rye grass. These plants are nitrogen fixers, meaning they capture and lock up nitrogen that would otherwise be lost during wet weather.
They can also deter nematodes and other pesky critters that might attack the plant. They’re easy to grow, and their root systems can help to trap worms and other pests that might be causing harm to your crops.
The best time to use these crops is a matter of personal preference, but they’re usually a good idea after harvest, when the plant has had time to digest its waste and start to release useful nutrients into the soil.
In addition to helping to boost the soil’s nutrient levels, crop green manures can also improve the soil’s structure by adding organic matter and breaking down hard soils. They can also help to prevent erosion by storing moisture in the stem and roots of the plants.
The key to using the best cover crop for your garden is to select a species that can survive the elements, preferably in colder temperatures (34-40degF) and will also germinate in late winter or early spring. This will ensure that you’re able to use it year after year, providing your crop with the benefits it deserves.
Control Diseases
The use of crop green manures can help to reduce the spread of soilborne diseases in a grower’s soil. They can also improve the soil by adding nutrients, improving its structure, and promoting microbial activity.
Plants and their root systems are a key part of the soil food web. Their roots and leaves draw up nutrients from the subsoil to store in their cells and root nodules. When they die, these nutrients are recycled back into the soil through the action of soil fungi and bacteria. The microorganisms in the soil break down the organic matter, producing gums and resins that help bind the soil particles together as granules (aggregates), increasing its ability to drain water and aerate.
In addition, the presence of these granules also enhances the humus content of the soil. This humus is made up of mycelia, mucus and slime that results from the breakdown of the organic material in the soil. It has a variety of benefits to the plant and the soil, including increased nutrient availability, better drainage, improved air aeration, and reduced erosion.
Some cover crops have allelopathic properties, containing or secreting compounds that can inhibit germination of other plants. They may also have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties that can help to suppress certain pests.
These are important factors to consider when incorporating a cover crop into the cannabis cultivation plan. It is a good idea to cut back the cover crop before you plant the main cannabis crop, allowing the new crop to outgrow the old one and provide ample space for its growth.
However, this is a time-consuming process. You can also rotate cover crops with other varieties, incorporating other species into the seed mix that have allelopathic or pest-repelling characteristics.
The addition of a crop green manure can help to control diseases when used in conjunction with proper cultivation practices and soil care. The green manure can help to improve the soil by providing an abundance of micronutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients are stored in the roots and stems of these plants and when they die, are returned to the soil through the actions of soil fungi and bacteria.
