green manure

American  

noun

Agriculture.

1. a crop of growing plants, as clover and other nitrogen-fixing plants, plowed under to enrich the soil.

2. manure that has not undergone decay.

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green manure British  

noun

1. a growing crop that is ploughed under to enrich the soil

2. manure that has not yet decomposed

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green manure Scientific  

1. A growing crop, such as clover or grass, that is plowed under the soil to improve fertility. Green manure can also reduce erosion and, if the crop is leguminous, add nitrogen to the soil.

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Etymology

Origin of green manure

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

But he feared there was not enough green manure to replace mineral fertilisers and that using a "muck spreader" would destroy his crops.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2022

Cover crops, also called green manure, include grains such as winter oats and cereal rye.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2021

Degraded mineral soils also need to be restored by controlling grazing, applying green manure or growing cover crops.

From Nature • Dec. 2, 2018

In short, such plants are excellent natural fertilisers, which is why they are known as "green manure".

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2014

Lime, and the alkalies, are generally safe and useful additions, in connection with clover as a green manure; these may be applied to almost any worn soils with great advantage.

From American Pomology Apples by Warder, J. A.