Gardening

jwirr

(39,215 posts) Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:13 PM Apr 2013

We have a very late spring here and have decided to let the garden go fallow this year instead of

our usual. What seeds could be planted to enhance the soil this summer?

4 replies

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We have a very late spring here and have decided to let the garden go fallow this year instead of (Original Post) jwirr Apr 2013 OP

Rye? Not sure. ginnyinWI Apr 2013 #1

I would suggest clover. Curmudgeoness Apr 2013 #2

A legume, like clover or lupine, to fix nitrogen. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2013 #3

fava beans fix nitrogen BlueToTheBone Jun 2013 #4

ginnyinWI

(17,276 posts)

1. Rye? Not sure.

Reply to jwirr (Original post)

Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:43 PM

Apr 2013

It sounds like a plan: my last two gardens have been really poor, partly due to drought. Maybe I'll just plant a row or two this year.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)

2. I would suggest clover.

Reply to jwirr (Original post)

Mon Apr 29, 2013, 07:24 PM

Apr 2013

Clover is a nitrogen-fixing plant, so can help add nitrogen to the soil. You want to plant it soon though, this is the time to plant it.

Clover plants have a symbiotic relationship with a bacterium in the Rhizobium genus that allows them to fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide for their own nitrogen needs, which is why clover can maintain a dark green color even under low nitrogen fertility. Turfgrass growing in soil that is low in nitrogen may receive supplemental nitrogen from old clover plants as their roots die and decay.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7490.html

The Velveteen Ocelot

(121,523 posts)

3. A legume, like clover or lupine, to fix nitrogen.

Reply to jwirr (Original post)

Mon Apr 29, 2013, 07:59 PM

Apr 2013

There are some pretty, very decorative legumes you could plant to brighten up the garden while they improve the soil. Cultivars of the lupine family are quite attractive, as are varieties of Baptisia (false or wild indigo), which also attract butterflies.

BlueToTheBone

(3,747 posts)

4. fava beans fix nitrogen

Reply to jwirr (Original post)

Thu Jun 13, 2013, 08:31 AM

Jun 2013

when you're ready to work the garden again, pull them (lots of work) and knock the nitrogen back into the soil.

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