Three different choices
Ordinary Phacelia tanacetifolia produces familiar lilac flower clusters. Angelia is an actual named cultivar of that green manure, emphasising crop development rather than a completely different flower colour. Phacelia campanularia is another botanical species with distinct blue bells. Choose the latter as an ornamental and do not treat it as the same agricultural green manure.
Temporarily between two crops
First assess when the bed is needed again. Do not sow a full green manure today if planting cabbage in two weeks. Keep an edge clear for observation and cutting. Remove volunteers promptly if you do not want them among following vegetables.
A flower strip with an endpoint
Use a short strip beside a path rather than the whole bed. Coiled flower clusters reward close observation. Another small sowing can spread interest across the season. Prevent unnoticed overhang above neighbouring low vegetables; space and light still matter.
Improve soil without miracle promises
Green manure supplies organic matter and covers temporarily empty ground. It does not replace soil testing or balanced nutrition for the next crop. Let material break down and examine soil structure before planting. Record the interval between sowing, cutting and the next vegetable in your garden log; this is more useful than a fixed calendar date for every garden.
Scent, flavour and use
This selection is intended for flowers and ground cover. No edibility or flavour is claimed for flowers, leaves or seeds.
Care, cutting and harvesting
Sow thinly in loose soil and water during establishment. Choose sun and a well-drained spot. Phacelia is not a legume and therefore does not fix nitrogen itself as clover does, for example.
Cut down green manure before it sets seed. Give incorporated green material time to decompose before starting the next crop. Do not count on guaranteed winter kill.
Let a flower strip bloom. For green manure, you do not harvest food: mow or cut the crop before ripe seed forms.
