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green manure
noun
: an herbaceous crop (such as clover) plowed under while green to enrich the soil
green-manure
transitive verb
Examples of green manure in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
First, green manure crops are crops grown with the sole purpose of being turned into soil.
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Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 19 Apr. 2024
Traditional green manure crops include alfalfa, oats, and even winter wheat.
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Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 19 Apr. 2024
Lay plants on top of soil to break down as green manure for improved soil fertility.
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Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024
Plant this year’s tomato bed with a green manure or cover crop.
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oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2021
Cover crops, also called green manure, include grains like winter oats and cereal rye.
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oregonlive, 16 Aug. 2021
In addition to use as an oilseed crop, yellow mustard is also produced as condiment mustard, green manure, and as a biopesticide.
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oregonlive, 8 May 2021
Before the green manure starts to flower, cut it and let the cuttings stay on the bed.
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oregonlive, 1 May 2021
Winter rye, vetch and clovers, sown now, are green manures that will crowd out winter weeds.
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Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2019
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Word History
First Known Use
1785, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near green manure
Cite this Entry
“Green manure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/green%20manure. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
green manure
noun
: a crop of plants (as clover) that is plowed under while green to enrich the soil
More from Merriam-Webster on green manure
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about green manure
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