Collection: Nitrogen Fixers

What is Nitrogen Fixation?

Certain plants and trees such as locusts, peas, clover, sea buckthorn, and legumes can fix (or hold) nitrogen in the soil. They nearly always have visible root nodules (but not always) which form a symbiotic relationship with a strain of bacteria called rhizobia. The rhizobia transform atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds (nitrates and ammonium), so that plants can actually use it, as nitrogen on its own is not much use to a plant. Plants do need nitrogen to grow though, and 'nitrogen fixation' (what the rhizobia do) is the principal way nitrogen gets 'fixed' or held, in the soil. Without rhizobia or the root nodules, we would be in quite a pickle. So instead of spending time, energy, and money on fertilizer, consider studding your orchard with nitrogen fixing plants. There are many annual options, but if you want a lower maintenance nitrogen fixer, trees and bushes are an excellent long term investment of space and money.

Excellent nitrogen fixers include: Locusts (Black and Honey), Sea Buckthorn, Kentucky Coffee, and Wisteria (though you'll need a sturdy trellis for that one!). We have been squirreling away local Speckled Alder, Siberian Pea Shrub and Autumn Olive seeds, and hope to add those to the catalogue by spring 2022.