Caliente Mustard 199 is an excellent green manure that has biofumigant properties. (Biofumigation is the suppression of soil-borne pests & diseases by the release of naturally occurring gases). By combining the lush organic matter with the plants biofumigant properties the activity of beneficial soil microbes is increased, so they can outperform the pathogen microbes and this helps keep harmful soil diseases down.

If you grow potatoes then you really need to be sowing Caliente ahead of all your potato crops - just like the potato farmers do!

Why? Every potato crop is susceptible to a disease known as Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN). PCN's are 1-mm long roundworms, there are two species of PCN, Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida. They live on the roots of plants of the family Solanaceae, such as potatoes and tomatoes. Once in the soil, they can be present for several years.

The first visible signs are usually patches of stunted crop with weak vigour. Typically, plants fail to meet in the row. The infected plants have a poor root structure and are more susceptible to drought. When the roots are examined carefully in situ, cysts can sometimes be seen with the naked eye or a hand lens.

Caliente Mustard is specially formulated to help combat PCN's. Always remember to buy approved and certified seed potato that will ensure that you are not bringing PCN's into your veg patch or allotment.

In order for biofumigation process to work successfully a few easy steps need to be followed;

The foliage must be crushed or finely chopped (a spade/garden shredder/strimmer or mower would be useful) as this allows the gases to be released.
Dig the chopped up foliage & roots into the top 15-20cm of the soil within 20 mins of chopping up, otherwise 80% of the beneficial gases will escape into the air.
Rake the soil to a fine tilth and firm or roller to keep gases locked in. Water the area thoroughly.
Rest the soil for 14 days before sowing/planting new seeds/crops, then sow/grow crops as soon as possible to get the best benefits from Caliente Mustard.

It sounds hard but these are the same processes you would normally do when using other green manures but in a shorter timescale. Work on small manageable areas at a time. Caliente Mustard is a very beneficial green manure as it produces lush foliage that helps smothers weeds; improves soils fertility & structure and retains moisture. This mustard also provides a good source of nutrition for the following crops by recycling nutrients like nitrogen. It also may improve the appearance of the skin of potatoes and deter wireworm populations, whilst also suppressing a range of nematodes.

Caliente Mustard can be sown in spring or late summer and incorporated 2 weeks after flowering has just started. Sow early to mid-October to overwinter - the protection of a horticultural fleece may help and dig in early spring. Excellent green manure & biofumigant that benefits vegetable/salad crops especially potatoes & root crops and also soft & cane fruit crops & in protected cropping undercover soils. Caliente Mustard will also assist in combating verticillium wilt in vegetables and fruit/strawberry plants.

Caliente Mustard Green Manure is a Brassica so if problems are present with Club-root, Caliente Mustard will succumb to the disease so use appropriately within a rotation.

Need Some Help On Green Manure?
Then we have 2 invaluable resources on our website that will provide the answers to all of your Green Manure questions:

1. A Beginners Guide that covers everything you ever wanted to know about Green Manure in 5 quick and simple steps - read it [HERE]

2. How To Choose Which Green Manure To Sow...a summary of all the Green Manures showing which soil types, plant families, and benefits that each Green Manure can bring to your veg patch or allotment - read it [HERE]

Caliente Mustard 199 Green Manure Seed Information

When to Sow:

March - September. For overwintering early to mid October.

Growing period:

2-5 months.

Height:

Grows to a maximum height of 60cm

Ideal Soil Type:

Most.

Nitrogen fixer:

No. Nitrogen LIFTER

How to Sow:

Broadcast sow seeds on a well-prepared bed, and gently rake in & firm to ensure good seed to soil contact. Water the seed in lightly and keep moist until germination has begun. Keep the soil moist throughout the growing cycle as periods of drought will cause it to flower early and mean less bulky organic growth. (A balanced N:P:K fertiliser can be applied before or just after sowing to ensure the best growth - the Caliente Mustard will return these nutrients to the soil when dug in).

Care:

In order for biofumigation process to work successfully a few easy steps need to be followed;

The foliage must be crushed or finely chopped (a spade/garden shredder/strimmer or mower would be useful) as this allows the gases to be released.
Dig the chopped up foliage & roots into the top 15-20cm of the soil within 20 mins of chopping up, otherwise, 80% of the beneficial gases will escape into the air.
Rake the soil to a fine tilth and firm or roller to keep gases locked in. Water the area thoroughly.
Rest the soil for 14 days before sowing/planting new seeds/crops, then sow/grow crops as soon as possible to get the best benefits from Caliente Mustard.

Sow Rate:

1 gram per square metre.

Pack Weight / Area:

25g

25m²

50g

50m²

100g

100m²

When to Sow Caliente Mustard 199 Green Manure Seeds

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec