LEGUMES
ALFALFA,NITRO,Fast-growing cover crop variety of the traditional
'lucerne' is winter hardy in warmer regions for long term soil building and
use as medicinal tea. Excellent distraction crop for deer and other predators
where moisture is adequate. Rodale researchers identified triacontanol in
alfalfa as boosting crop yields, by applying fresh chopped foliage as low
as 40lbs per acre (tilled into the soil). Higher application rates resulted
in less increase: 'homeopathic'!
BULL CLOVER,(Lotus sp.),Northern California native: bushy clumps of tricolor
blossoms (violet-cream-pink) grace mountain roadsides in late spring in Northern
California bringing big game out of hiding as forage begins to fade from heat
and drought.,B
CLOVER,GIANT HEAD (T. macrocephalum),Native to Northern California which we
found in Hoopa Valley. Biennial makes sprawling bush with distinctive foliage
and huge red-white-green blossoms suitable for ornamental and cover crop use.
RARE,B
CLOVER,MAMMOTH RED (Trifolium pratense), Excellent soil building cover crop
and pasture especially good for acidic soil with abundant moisture. Medicinal
tea with important uses is made from its pink (not crimson!) blossoms which
sell for top prices when properly shade dried. Tea doubles as compost stimulant
and liquid fertilizer in solution with screened compost and other botanicals
(we also make good use of blackberry clippings which bioaccumulate nitrogen.)
Essential for every garden and gardener!
GARBANZO,BLACK KABULI, Large coal black seeds 1-2 per pod on vigorous bush
plants. Peasants in India make use of malic acid collected from garbanzo leaves-
a deterrent to deer. Plants are somewhat frost resistant for early spring
sowings and possibly overwintering in mildest valley climates.
GARBANZO,SHIMBRA ,RARE 'Desi' type (small seeded) on compact plants from FCGP.org,LQ
GARBANZO,MOONLIGHT, Large white seeded Sacramento valley cv
FAVA BEAN,BANNER,Compact high yielder is a gourmet selection from the UK.
Rapid increase of seed with its concentrated set of pods & once-over harvest.
Not to be confused with the smaller horse bean or 'bell' bean often used for
green manure.
GUAR,CLUSTER BEAN (Lotus tetragonobulus), Legume with distinctive spikey growth
habit and upright pods for long hot summer growing seasons. We've been working
to extend the range of this subtropical specialty which is essential to Indian
cuisine.,LQ
LENTIL,DUPUYS French, small colorful seeds borne 2 per tiny pod on compact
12" vines. Grown as winter crop in Cal. but you must keep wildlife at
bay and cut promptly at maturity for drying under cover. Delicious in soups
or sprouted!, B
LENTIL,ETHIOPIAN,Large white angular seeds give rise to vigorous pea-like
vines and flowers. RARE cultivar for early spring sowing in our locale is
worthy of experimentation: highly recommended!,B
PEA,ARGENTEUM 'Silverleaf', RARE heirloom obtained thru Seedsavers sports
glossy foliage which seemed to defy heat and drought in our trial, leaving
other varieties literally in the dust.,LQ
PEA,CAPUCINER's SOUP,Stocky bush variety for high yield of large dry soup
peas from early sowings: traditional to northern European cuisine and cool
moist climates.,B
PEA,DESIREE Purple,RARE cultivar from William Woys Weaver- author of
Heirloom Vegetable Gardening. A shell pea of merit with purple pods and alluring
flowers. FRANCE.,LQ
PEA,DWARF GREY SUGAR, High-yielding and fairly self-supporting but slender
plants for a feast of edible podded peas and abundant seed production. Excellent!,B
PEA,MAMMOTH MELTING SUGAR,Vigorous but self-supporting vines bearing jumbo
sized edible pod 'snow peas' and plentiful biomass to replenish the soil.,B
PEA,OREGON SUGAR POD II,Dwarf compact early producer makes a fast start and
offers multiple disease resistance.
PEA,PESOL NEGRE, A treasure from Spain noted for heat and drought resistance
producing high yields of medium size dry peas. Some hardy autumn volunteers
overwintered (unusual in our locale) to provide our first meal of shell peas
the following spring! RARE,B
PEA,PURPLE PASSION, Purple-seeded Seedsavers shell pea. RARE
PEA,RAISIN CAPUCINER, Heirloom selection of the classic Dutch soup pea with
larger even more wrinkly seeds we obtained from our friends at Peace Seeds.
PEA,RAMPICANTE MANGIATUTTO,Prolific climbing snow pea with jumbo pods almost
out of reach if adequate support is provided.
PEA,UMBELLATA, Vigorous bush shelling pea with exceptionally colorful flowers
and good seed production.RARE from Seedsavers.