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Post by meandtk on Jan 2, 2019 12:56:54 GMT -5
Would someone care to help me with inoculants? I plan on doing some reading on the issue, but would like your input. There are spots where I have had success with legumes and others where I have not. I'm wondering if inoculants would help me. I've never used them, and am ignorant of them.
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Post by mgulfcoastguy on Jan 2, 2019 13:19:57 GMT -5
We never bothered with them. BUT, we haven't planted beans in three or four years. This year I have some heirloom shell bean seed that I want to try. Unlike most local people, I dislike field peas and most especially lima beans. I did like Vermont Cranberry shell beans last time that I tried them though.
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Post by meandtk on Jan 2, 2019 13:27:22 GMT -5
I have a variety of beans I want to try. Among them is the Cranberry bean of which you speak. I especially like Zipper Cream Peas. You may wish to try them, as they are a bit milder than most field peas.
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Post by mgulfcoastguy on Jan 2, 2019 13:39:54 GMT -5
meandtk, believe me we grew every variety of field pea. I admit that part of my dislike was my slave labor picking and shelling them while young. Did you get the pole or bush variety of Cranberry beans? They have a mild tasted do about as well as lima beans down here. If you have one of those itty bitty packs I can see springing for inoculant.
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Post by meandtk on Jan 2, 2019 14:13:43 GMT -5
I ordered a pound of the bush variety.
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Jan 2, 2019 14:14:50 GMT -5
The bacteria peas and beans use to fix nitrogen will stay in the soil for a few years. So, it's my understanding that inoculant really only makes a big difference when you're planting beans or peas in a spot where you haven't grown any beans or peas for a few years. Peas and beans will grow even without the inoculant, since the nitrogen-fixing bacteria are everywhere in the environment. The bacteria will eventually colonize the plants' roots. But having a large population of the bacteria in the soil at planting time - whether from inoculating or from having grown peas or beans in that spot before - gets the plants off to a faster start. meandtk, it might be worth trying an inoculant where you had trouble growing legumes before, but I would also look to see if there is anything else different about the soil or the drainage between the "good" and "bad" spots from previous years.
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Post by meandtk on Jan 2, 2019 14:40:27 GMT -5
Laura_in_FL, The odd thing about it is that one area is 80X100 and there is a spot in the middle that has not fared well. Neither has the perimeter, where I have trellis up for pole beans. Yet the south side bore my Roma beans very well last year. I have no clue. I spread Azomite (sp?) over the whole area, and I hope that helps. I am also adding compost each year to a different spot. The soil is improving, but I am quite bumfuzzled about the middle no grow zone. Other things grow, but legumes haven't fared well there at all.
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Post by brownrexx on Jan 2, 2019 15:43:56 GMT -5
I had an area where nothing grew very well one year and when I dug it up I discovered a heavy clay layer down about 6 inches. After I rototilled the area and mixed it really well, it has been fine.
I often see areas in local cornfields which have stunted corn and it is from poor drainage.
I like to grow English peas and since I want to get the maximum production, I always use the innoculant. It is fairly cheap and I think that it helps.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Jan 2, 2019 18:17:55 GMT -5
Early on, before I had used inoculant, I planted half of a row with, and half without, and the difference was amazing. I have used it ever since, though after a while, I only added it every couple of years, or if planting beans or peas in a spot they haven't been for a while (they have been everywhere at some time by now!).
BTW, the best inoculant is that black powdery stuff. The granular doesn't cover as much, yet it costs more. And it can be used the next year, if you refrigerate it! I keep that, and Microbe Lift (a live Bt israelensis liquid) in a box in the fridge - no kids in the house, so no need to worry here.
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Post by spike on Jan 2, 2019 18:23:57 GMT -5
BTW, the best inoculant is that black powdery stuff. Never used it. Where do you get it?
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Post by pepperhead212 on Jan 2, 2019 18:56:56 GMT -5
spike I have gotten the inoculant many places - usually, just somewhere I'm ordering seeds, and I see that they carry the powder. However, be forewarned, it's not all the same. The usual stuff is for just for common beans and peas. Some are just for soybeans, vetch, peanuts, or alfalfa/clover. Johnny's has a bunch of types, and has one that is for a "Garden Combination". And the one that I have gotten several times from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange is also a combination type, and inoculates 8-12 lbs. Here a link to that - it says out of stock; I'm sure they just haven't gotten this year's batch yet. www.southernexposure.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=inoculantThey all used to say they inoculated 8 lbs of beans, but I've seen some in recent years saying 4 lbs, so some are being diluted.
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Post by brownrexx on Jan 2, 2019 19:15:08 GMT -5
The black powder is the type that I have used and I buy it at Rohrer's seeds which is where I get most of my seeds.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Jan 2, 2019 19:21:15 GMT -5
You're lucky to have Rohrer's there, brownrexx!
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Post by meandtk on Jan 2, 2019 23:08:02 GMT -5
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Post by brownrexx on Jan 3, 2019 10:00:02 GMT -5
You're lucky to have Rohrer's there, brownrexx! Don't I know it. Until reading posts on the forum I didn't realize that other people had such limited access to good seeds unless they mail ordered. Rorher's does ship seeds if anyone is interested and the shipping is reasonable I think. They have an online catalog if you just want to look. www.rohrerseeds.com/
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Post by spike on Jan 3, 2019 11:39:39 GMT -5
OMG my garden sucked so bad last year that I got totally sucked into this thread and was dreaming about planting peas with inoculants! I seriously need a bumper crop this year. Supplies are running low!
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Post by bestofour on Jan 3, 2019 18:54:02 GMT -5
I plant English peas too and am planting beans that brownrexx sent me so I'm thinking I'll use an inoculant too.
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Post by paquebot on Jan 3, 2019 21:23:30 GMT -5
If your soil does not have an abundance of nitrogen, inoculant is a must for beans and peas. Enough here have experimented with and without and saw the results. It is very true. I blew it last year as I was out of commission at the most important time and planted beans in new ground with no inoculant. I may as well have left the beans in the packets. The kicker is that I had some from the previous year and forgot. Ain't going to happen this yeAr.
I have no problem getting it. Jung's Garden Center has it, 8 blocks away.. I think that they only have the powder form which is what I've always used. Fingers become black when using it but worth it.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Jan 4, 2019 11:58:13 GMT -5
Hmm...maybe I should re-think my attitude towards inoculant and pick some up. It's too late for the peas (unless they freeze and I have to replant), but I haven't been happy with my most of my beans the last two years and maybe inoculant will help.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2019 12:09:32 GMT -5
Inoculent is cheapish and can't hurt, so, yep, I tend to use it.
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Post by meandtk on Jan 4, 2019 12:19:14 GMT -5
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Post by Laura_in_FL on Jan 4, 2019 12:30:00 GMT -5
And you shouldn't! I made a late fall planting knowing it was a big risk, but I had plenty of seeds and nothing else to go into those spots this time of year. They are about to start blooming soon, I think, but I could very well lose them to a hard freeze anytime this month.
The right time for planting peas here is late January, and I would guess in your area it's early February?
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Post by paquebot on Jan 4, 2019 13:16:53 GMT -5
As Imp says, it's cheap and a little goes a long way. "Garden size" at Jung's is $5.95. That will do 8# of bean or pea seed. Not certain how long the shelf life is once it's opened but generally I think 2 years.
Martin
he truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by meandtk on Jan 4, 2019 15:03:17 GMT -5
I have a couple of good feednseed stores that I pass by, so I should be able to pick this up at a reasonable price. Not to mention that such is sales tax free in MS.
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Post by brownrexx on Jan 4, 2019 16:52:02 GMT -5
I paid $5.95 for mine last year too
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Post by paquebot on Jan 5, 2019 10:18:45 GMT -5
I think that it is espeially important if you use a leaf-based compost. A lot of soil nitrogen is tied up while dealing with the extra carbon. Inoculant helps to make it available to the plants.
Martin
The truth is more important than the facts.
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Post by brownrexx on Jan 5, 2019 10:24:41 GMT -5
I really like growing English peas and last year I had enough for fresh eating but none for the freezer. I am looking forward to a better crop this year and I will definitely be using the innoculant. After I rototill my garden in the fall I cover everything with a thick layer of straw and then in the spring it is ready for planting peas by just pulling the mulch back to let the soil warm a bit. I already have my pea trellises in the garden ready and waiting. The common date to plant peas in my area is St Patrick's Day. Many times we still have snow on the ground or it is frozen at that time so having the soil prepared in the fall makes a big difference for me.
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