Peas/Legumes as Green manure?

[Duronal]

Does anyone know if growing peas on fallow/used ground would act as a green manure?

My thinking is that this would be a wonderful organic way to increase nitrogen in the soil as the peas naturally perform nitrogen fixation (from air to soil via bacteria in roots)? The worst case scenario would be that the peas wouldn't produce but surely there roots alone are worth growing for this alone?

If I’m right - - and assuming that using your best pea seeds might prove to be an expensive idea - could you use dried beans/peas/legumes from the supermarke like sunflowers they're availiable in large quantities at a cheap price.

I'm sorry to throw yet another ODD question at you guys but I’ve got an insatiable curiosity about all this and it's still all very exciting.

Thanks

D

now this is an interesting read....http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/faq7979

Makes you wonder if you could plant sweet clover and use it as a green mulch to deter weed growth....

[tootles]

I used sweet clover as a green manure last autumn on a new patch of ground. I dug it in this spring - and have spent the whole summer pulling up clover from amongst my plants! I won't be using it again!
SBP posted something about using lupins as a green manure which I am very interested in - if only I could find the right seeds......
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tml#post240373

[Duronal]

Hmmm so green manure will cause us to be forever be weeding it out during the growing season.

Do you think you have to do this though? after all it is beneficial could you not just leave it in?

[tootles]

I don't know really. It could be that I just ballsed the whole thing up!
I like the idea of an overwintering green manure though. Can't bear the thought of empty unused beds!!

[marigold007]

You can plant super-market beans alright. I'm growing Camellia Red Beans as we speak. I've also picked up some cannellini, black, and lima beans to try really soon. I don't think they should have weed potential.

[Snadger]

My allotment neighbour planted dried peas from the supermaket and appears to have a really good crop of peas. They are about 4 foot tall though!
Certain types of pea you get can be planted in the autumn for an early crop next year!

[marigold007]

I really have to take back what I've said here. I just checked my red beans and opened a couple that are turning yellow and one that is still green. It seems I am ending up with things that look like small green butter beans in the green pods and these huge mammoth pink beans in the yellowing pods. They must be a hybrid cause they don't look anything like kidney beans. Are they safe to eat though, I wonder?

[Duronal]

this is where having a pet hampster is very useful marigold!

I think there was no definative answer on whether breeding 2 edible plants togther could ever result in an inedible plant. just take it slow with the testing. e.g try one or two and see what you think. then try a few more, if there's no side effects eat a bowl full!