Legumes are a group of plants that develop nodules on their root systems that have the ability to fixate nitrogen (N) from the air. Plants in this group include but are not limited to: alfalfa, clovers, lentils (peas), beans, birdsfoot trefoil, and vetch. Legumes can be annuals (peas), biennials (yellow blossom sweet clover), or perennials (alfalfa). They not only produce N for the plant, but also for the grasses around them which helps to increase yields. Legumes provide excellent quality forage when planted alone or with grasses. The following are just a portion of clovers that benefit not only farmers for forage, but also bee keepers, humans and other wildlife.
Characteristics
- Several varieties work well as annuals to help establish cool- and warm-season grasses
- Provides high-protein forages
- Care must be taken that stolens to not overtake pastures
Planting directions
- Soil types and fertilization vary by variety, be sure to follow
- Fertilization optimizes performance
- All legumes require the seed to be inoculated with the proper inoculum immediately before seeding. The inoculum assists the plants in developing nodules in their roots systems to fixate nitrogen from the air.
Species