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Ontario, Canada (Zone 6a)              Steven Apr 10, 2010 7:45 PM CST |
This afternoon I got some Lupin seeds. The soil in our backyard has no nitrogen, so I though since Lupins were legumes I could use them to add the nitrogen back into the soil. Now, in another thread someone mentioned that the nitrogen might only go into the soil when the plants die............so I'm wodering will that happen when the Lupins die back in the fall(from the rotting foliage) or when the plants die permenantly(when the roots rot)?  Any thoughts? Steven |
Name: Christine North East Texas (Zone 7b)            |
Ya know, I've been thinking I should write an article about "Nitrogen Fixing Plants." I will work on that  Although much of the nitrogen in legumes is stored in their roots, some does make it's way into the soil while they are growing, and will help fix the soil to some degree. But when they die back, their decomposition releases the stored nitrogen. That's why it's good to plant a winter crop of legumes, clover, or winter peas; in the spring you can till under the plants to decompose and raise the nitrogen for availability to your spring plants. I'll let you know if I need help figuring out how to do an article LOL  hahahaMay your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb |
Ontario, Canada (Zone 6a) Steven Apr 11, 2010 9:27 AM CST |
| Ok, so it sounds like the Lupins were a good choice then as the soil here needs all the help it can get. I've never had lupins before so I'm kind of excited to try them for the first time. Theres also some clumps of red clover in our yard, and I have to say it looks rather pretty when in bloom which leads me to think that maybe I will keep some in the garden and just deadhead it to stop it from seeding..........or does that sound like a really bad idea? I'm already looking forward to your artical! |
Name: Christine North East Texas (Zone 7b) |
| Deadheading should definitely stop the clover from reseeding. I know you said you have limited gardening space. I think it pretty too and a big attractor to pollinating bees! We've got a little more room here and I am trying to let it spread. We put crimson clover seed around our pond last fall to help control erosion. My dh apparently threw some extra seeds around one of peach trees and it has put out a hundred fruit, way more than usual........ I think the clover helped  And I can see how different/better it looks than the other peach tree! How's that for accidental experimenting for companion planting?I think a bee hive is in our future  May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb |
Ontario, Canada (Zone 6a) Steven Apr 12, 2010 1:00 PM CST |
| Accidental companion planting....that sounds like an idea for a new thread! I will definitely keep some of that red clover! From what I have seen it doesn't spread by root so it should be safe, and after hearing what it did for your peach tree! Wow! I'm hoping to plant out alot of tomatos this year so the clover should help us get lots of fruit! I soaked my lupin seeds and planted them yesterday and today I saw one of the seeds starting to show above the soil alread so it looks like I'll have sprouts soon. I have no idea where all these plants are going to go since the garden hasn't even been started yet...(we have to get other stuff done first).........but I always plant my seeds anyways in anticipation! |
Ontario, Canada (Zone 6a) Steven Aug 27, 2010 1:18 PM CST |
| I have to say my Lupins haven't grown much at all! I am hoping they are focusing on making a strong root system for the winter and next summer! Also I am going to move some of the red sweet clover into the garden, I figure as long as I deadhead it it should stay in check? |
Name: Christine North East Texas (Zone 7b) |
| Well Lupins do grow deep root systems... maybe they are slow growers? I like the red clovers too. And yes, if you deadhead they should go to seed and spread; same with the Lupins. I'm curious to see how our red clover comes back because we let it go to seed in some areas here  They are both great green manures. May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb |
Ontario, Canada (Zone 6a) Steven Aug 28, 2010 2:30 PM CST |
| I need some serious green manure here. The soil has been ammended alot but I want it to be naturaly healthy too so that I won't need to use as much fertilizer in the future. What I have been using though is fish emulsion with excellent results! When transplanting there is almost no shock at all if you water with Fish E! |
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