Hi guys I have a 1700×1700×1000 home made greenhouse (it sits directly over the soil) and have been thinking about putting in clover or something else as a living mulch. What would be the best to put both nutrients back in the soil and help with deterring pests?
I came across this link today and it has a good recipe for layering up all the right ingredients for an organic compost pile that would be ripe in about 4-5 months depending on where you live…How To Grow Marijuana: The Ultimate Organic Guide.
I compost myself but in the desert environment I live in the compost doesn’t break down fast enough. His recipe will insure you have the correct microbes and balance for perfect results.
Your clover would be a good layer of the nitrogen and then he recommends a 30:1 ratio of carbon (dead leaves, tree trimmings, etc.) to nitrogen rich materials (coffee grounds, grass clippings, etc.).
You could likely turn good compost in maybe 1/2 the time with the added heat of the greenhouse…? You would have to really turn and work it to prevent it from over burn.
I really like growing in soil when I can.
Cool I could probably do something like this in between grows. The question was more is it a good idea to have clover (or something similar) growing at the same time as the girls?
Well, I suppose you could. I’m sure it would take away valuable nutes. If you have a good space that you could grow a patch of clover or other beneficial ground cover separately would be better, imo. You would be walking all over it growing your girls.
Keep an eye on CO-2 the more plants competing the less you’ll have in the atmosphere. If you think that’s not an issue then plants some mint and oregano along with the green manure.
@Tipsy_McStagr Interesting idea. Clover’s root structure is good at adding nitrogen back to the soil, but I’m not sure how clover might wind up competing with your primary crop. It would certainly compete for water consumption (and part of mulching is about preserving water in the soil). I also wonder how much K and P it would take up, as well as micro nutrients - all things your primary crop needs.
I think a better idea is just to use a quality mulch like grass clippings or fine bark.
Good luck.