Advice needed on runner bean roots

Snowy Howells · « **on:** January 09, 2009, 20:44 »

Today I finally got around to clearing the summers debris from one of the raised beds in my garden (my excuse is that I protected it from the chickens so well, that I couldn't get to it either :oops: ). I have started to clear the dead runner bean plants, but I think I read somewhere that the roots should be left in place as they fertilise the soil? Is this correct or should I pull them out?

DD. · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2009, 20:47 »

They are legumes and the nodules in the roots are rich with nitrogen.

Dig 'em in!

Steve.P · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2009, 20:48 »

I dont think its the roots, its something the plant puts into the soil when they grow. Someone should be along with the scientific answer

Trillium · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2009, 20:49 »

No, it's the nodules on the roots that carry the nitrogen. As DD says, just dig in the roots and leave them.

Jake · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2009, 21:28 »

I read that bacteria on the root nodules fix nitrogen from the air into a useable form for plants.

Amazing.

Trillium · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2009, 21:38 »

Yes, they fix the nitrogen into the nodules on the roots.

Snowy Howells · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2009, 21:45 »

Excellent, thank you! I'll dig 'em in as soon as the soil defrosts :roll:

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Advice needed on runner bean roots

Trillium

Trillium