Phacelia Tanacetifolia is indeed a green manure. Green manures are crops that are grown specifically to improve the soil quality and fertility. They are usually grown for a certain period of time and then incorporated into the soil, providing numerous benefits.
Phacelia Tanacetifolia is particularly well-suited as a green manure due to its rapid growth and hardiness. It has the ability to germinate at low temperatures, making it suitable for sowing from March until September. This flexibility in sowing time allows for a longer period of soil improvement throughout the year.
One of the key advantages of Phacelia Tanacetifolia as a green manure is its quick growth. It can reach a height of up to 1m within a relatively short period of time. This rapid growth helps to suppress weeds, reducing competition for nutrients and sunlight in the soil.
Furthermore, Phacelia Tanacetifolia is known for its tolerance of cold temperatures. This means that it can continue to grow and provide soil cover even in colder climates. In fact, if the winters are not too severe, Phacelia Tanacetifolia may even over-winter, providing additional benefits to the soil.
When Phacelia Tanacetifolia is eventually incorporated into the soil, it acts as a green manure by adding organic matter. As it decomposes, it releases valuable nutrients back into the soil, improving its fertility. This organic matter also helps to improve soil structure, making it more crumbly and easier to work with.
In addition to its soil-improving qualities, Phacelia Tanacetifolia also has attractive blue-purple flowers that can be beneficial for pollinators. Bees and other beneficial insects are known to be attracted to these flowers, making Phacelia Tanacetifolia a great choice for supporting biodiversity in the garden.
In my experience, Phacelia Tanacetifolia has been a reliable and effective green manure crop. I have used it in my own vegetable garden to improve the soil before planting other crops. The quick growth and ability to tolerate colder temperatures have been particularly advantageous, allowing me to extend the green manure period throughout the year.
To summarize, Phacelia Tanacetifolia is indeed a green manure. Its quick growth, tolerance of cold temperatures, and ability to improve soil fertility make it an excellent choice for incorporating into the garden. Whether sown from March until September or even over-wintered in milder climates, Phacelia Tanacetifolia can provide numerous benefits to the soil and support biodiversity in the garden.