Hungarian grazing rye
Hungarian grazing rye improves drainage in clay soils
- Tags
- green manures
Hungarian grazing rye suits most soils. It's a vigorous grower and is the best green manure for stopping nutrients leaching from the soil over winter. It is also great at suppressing weeds and improving draining in clay soils.
| Growing calendar | |
|---|---|
| Sow outdoors | Aug - Oct |
| Cut down/dig in | Apr |
How to grow Hungarian grazing rye
Sow Hungarian grazing rye seed at 18g per square metre by scattering them on the surface of your soil, then rake and tamp (press) down.
You can also sow Hungarian grazing rye in rows 15cm apart.
Incorporating into your soil
Cut down or mow before flowering (look out for buds which form at the base of the plant) or when about 45cm tall, then dig in the whole plant from April. Hungarian grazing rye can inhibit germination of your next crop up to six weeks after digging in so make sure you allow plenty of time before you use the soil again.
Tips on growing Hungarian grazing rye
If you are following a crop rotation system you can grow Hungarian grazing rye within any parts of the rotation.
| Growing notes | |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Average growing period | From 24 weeks |
| Equipment needed | None |
| Germination time | 7-14 days |
| Average plant size | 45cm tall, 20cm wide |
| Seed saving notes | Annual, self-pollinating |
| Latin name | Secale cereale |