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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.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 19 Apr. 2024
Traditional green manure crops include alfalfa, oats, and even winter wheat.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 19 Apr. 2024
Lay plants on top of soil to break down as green manure for improved soil fertility.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 6 Feb. 2024
Plant this year’s tomato bed with a green manure or cover crop.
—oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2021
Cover crops, also called green manure, include grains like winter oats and cereal rye.
—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.
—oregonlive, 8 May 2021
Before the green manure starts to flower, cut it and let the cuttings stay on the bed.
—oregonlive, 1 May 2021
Winter rye, vetch and clovers, sown now, are green manures that will crowd out winter weeds.
—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 8 Nov. 2024.
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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