[puffinstuff]

can someone advise about using spent bean plants from earlier this season to add nitrogen to the ground.  Do i simply cut the plants leaving the roots or does the whole plant get dug back into the soil. All suggestions welcome.

jim

[Yabba]

As far as I know, it's the roots that hold the nitrogen in lil nodules. Add the tops to your compost heap

¥

[DD.]

Yup.

[Greasehog]

Dig the whole lot in, cut the plant into pieces and just dig it in....

[DD.]

If you've got a lot - that's one heck of a job.

The roots are the important bit.

[Greasehog]

If you have a lot just chop them with a spade then dig in..

[Yorkie]

I agree with DD.

The only part which adds nitrogen to the soil is the roots - there are indeed nodules on the roots.

I believe that the rest of the plant will in fact rob the soil of nitrogen as it decomposes in situ.  Far better to put the rest of the plant on the compost bin in the usual way.

[Alby]

Cant argue with 10 stars !!!     Spot on advice 

                   Alby

[mumofstig]

I believe that the rest of the plant will in fact rob the soil of nitrogen as it decomposes in situ.  Far better to put the rest of the plant on the compost bin in the usual way.

I understand your reasoning Yorkie, but when you sow field beans as green manure you dig the tops in as well....wouldn't this be the same?

[DD.]

We're taking woody stalks, not succulent green tops.

[Yabba]

I agree with DD.

All he said was "yup" :O that's it, yer struck of my chrimbo list :'(

Mind you, I'll probably forget that I've struck you off by the time I write my list

¥

[mumofstig]

We're taking woody stalks, not succulent green tops.

Ok  

[Salmo]

Dig a bean root out carefully and on the fine roots you should see light coloured nodules attached to some of them. The nodules contain bacteria which have taken nitrogen from the air to make their protien. When they die and rot the nitrogen will be released and available to your plants.

If you pull the plants roughly from the ground most of the nodules will be left in the soil. If some of the nodules finish up in the conpost heap it will not matter.

[suziet88]

Oh flip - I did not know about the nitrogen business and have dug up and thrown away my runner beans.  Am still a allotment virgin and learning every day!

[Christine]

Suzie that's what we are here for - to provide you with little nuggets of information.