Bird's-foot Trefoil Living Mulch

I'm thinking, why not carry on the same general theme from my last post and continue discussing wonderous mulch. I've got to be honest, when I'm gardening, the mantra that plays through my head on repeat is, "Protect the Soil! Protect the Soil!"

This year, to achieve this, I'm experimenting with a new living mulch, bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). I already have little seedlings coming up between my broad beans. They are growing nicely under a glass garden cloche, which is also something I'm trying for the first time this year. I'm very impressed so far. Considering we are only just into March, look how well both the beans and trefoil are doing. It'll be interesting to see how they progress.

bird's-foot trefoil intercropping

Why did I choose bird's-foot trefoil? There are several reasons. Like clover, trefoils are nitrogen fixers. By the way, broad beans fix nitrogen too, so this little patch of ground will be lushiously fertile after this crop.

Additionally, bird's-foot trefoil is native to this country (United Kingdom) and perennial. Plant once, keep the ground protected for years. Bonus!

As if that wasn't enough, their flower nectar is loved by pollinators, and it has a creeping growth habit staying close to the ground. My broad beans won't get shaded out.

I just love stacking functions in my tiny garden, and this legume takes that concept to the extreme. Although, I should point out, the little peas produced are not edible. They contain cyanide.

Yikes! I can't end on that dire note...

Random piece of trivia anyone? Bird's-foot trefoil is also known as 'granny's toenails'. Ummm... Is that really ending on something lighter? Hmmm... Heh, heh.

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