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| I am trying something new this year and I want to know if anyone has tried the same. My tomatoes are planted ~ 30" apart and I have planted peas or lima beans between each plant. The purpose is to supply the tomatoes with nitrogen and also weed suppression from the shading effect of the bush beans. I have also planted legumes with my melons for the same purpose. Has this been done before with success? I would appreciate any thoughts. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| This past spring I planted broccoli rows between my bush bean rows and it has worked out well. The broc is now gone and pulled out as the beans filled in the gaps and are now being picked for the first time today. Each year I plant green peas in rows and once done pull them up and plant corn right behind them hoping that left over nitrogen is still in the soil. Seems to work ok though I still do fert the corn as it grows. |
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- Posted by Slimy_Okra 2b (My Page) on Fri, Jun 13, 14 at 16:51
| The tomatoes will need much more nitrogen than the legume plants can supply, so I would not count on them alone to supply the N needs. |
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| What I have always heard and from what I have read about it, it only works if you leave all the bean roots with the nodules on them in the soil or if you till in the bean plans roots and all. I know that is the case with legume cover corps. Link below is to a study out of New Mexico State Univ. on the amount of nitrogen contributed to the soil that is usable by subsequent crops The amount of nitrogen returned to the soil during or after a legume crop can be misleading. Almost all of the nitrogen fixed goes directly into the plant. Little leaks into the soil for a neighboring nonlegume plant. However, nitrogen eventually returns to the soil for a neighboring plant when vegetation (roots, leaves, fruits) of the legume dies and decomposes.. Dave |
Here is a link that might be useful: Nitrogen Fixation by Legumes
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| I never knew that, Dave. Thanks for the info! |
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