Can growing peas and beans improve soil?
From saving on your food shopping bill, to avoiding consuming harmful chemicals, there are so many reasons why you should grow your own food if you have the space to do so. But did you know that there are extra benefits to growing certain plants, such as peas and beans?
How to grow peas and beans
If you love the idea of having delicious, homegrown produce on your table, peas and beans are a great place to start, as they’re very easy to grow. When grown in a sunny, sheltered spot, both peas and beans are incredibly reliable crops and require very little in terms of care.
Make sure to grow them against a supportive structure which they can climb as they develop. A support net is perfect for this. Pick a net at least four metres wide by one metre in height - depending on how many plants you would like to grow, you may wish to buy two or three - and one that is made from organic cotton to ensure durability and sustainability. This net from Plastic Free Gardening is perfect for the job. It ticks all the boxes, and makes growing your own veg easier!
Water your plants well while they are establishing, then water in dry spells and when they start to flower (always at the base of the plants - never on the leaves. This will help prevent powdery mildew). If grown in a bed, peas and beans require little or no fertiliser.
Harvest your crops often, as this will generate more produce. When you leave it too long before harvesting, production slows down as the plant thinks its job is complete. If your plants are abundant with edible goodies, you may be able to harvest daily!
The benefits of growing peas and beans
Nutritional value
Peas are high in vitamin C and B6 as well as dietary fibre. Not only that, but they’re best eaten fresh off the vine, as the sugar in peas begins to turn to starch once picked, meaning they’re much sweeter when they are fresher. Beans are also high in fibre, as well as protein and B vitamins.
Fixing nitrogen
Peas and beans can be used as green manure - this refers to crops grown for the purpose of improving the soil’s fertility or structure. These plants enjoy a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia, bacteria that reside in their root nodules. Rhizobia gain nutrients from the roots of the peas and beans, while at the same time transforming inert nitrogen in the soil into a form of nitrogen that the plants can utilise.
This isn’t just useful for the peas and beans. As the life of the plants comes to an end, the root nodules decompose, returning the nitrogen to the soil for the next crops to absorb. This is why many farmers use peas and beans as rotation crops, and also why you should be careful not to remove the roots of the plant when you are finished with it.
Preventing soil compaction
Pea and bean plants can actually protect the surface of the soil from compaction by rain. This is because the plants create a dense canopy that intercepts the force of raindrops, which is what can cause soil compaction. Compact soils can limit water intake to plants, and inhibit growth.
Sheltering beneficial insects
That all-important canopy of foliage not only protects the soil, but also beneficial insects such as ground beetles. These prey on the insects and larvae that damage your crops, such as aphids, slugs and slug eggs, and moth/butterfly eggs. Having beetles and other insects in your garden is a great way to naturally and humanely control pests, allowing you to grow and enjoy your produce without the use of chemicals.
With all this in mind, why not start growing peas and beans in your garden? March to June is the best time to begin sowing your seeds for delicious summer crops. There’s still time!