Nitrogen Nodules
For some reason the word 'Nodules' makes me giggle... can't think why. Today I cleared away my first lot of broad beans. I just got so excited when I pulled up the whole plant and saw hundreds of nitrogen nodules attached to the root system.All leguminous plants are nitrogen fixers. The legume family is peas and beans. These plants have the ability to take nitrogen out of the atmosphere and out of the food and soil and make these little white nodules which are choc-full of nitrogen. Be sure when pulling up legumes to look for these nodules and scrape them off the roots and back on to the soil. Better still, chop off the stalk at ground level and leave the roots to rot. This is a great, natural way to improve your soil.
posted by Matron @ 6:31 PM
3 Comments:
Matron, does this mean that my pole beans will also do this? Looks amazing!
Yes, pole beans (runner beans) also produce nitrogen nodules although I have found that they are harder to see. I cut off the stalks at ground level when they're finished and leave them in the ground to overwinter.
Nifty. I've always wanted to see that! Thanks.
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