A Love Letter to Green Beans from Nitrogen Deprived Soil

 Dear Green Beans, 

    We know you didn't last long in our garden, but we promise it was for a good reason. Green beans and other legumes are considered "Nitrogen Fixers." This means that they develop nodules on their roots filled with bacteria. These bacteria convert unusable nitrogen into a usable form that other plants can take up through their roots. Read more here. Nitrogen fixation is the chemical process of assimilating atmospheric nitrogen into organic compounds, especially by certain microorganisms as part of the nitrogen cycle. Essentially, plants need nitrogen, and nitrogen fixation helps provide the soil with nitrogen, allowing other plants to absorb this nitrogen. The nitrogen fixation only occurs when the plant grows, but that doesn't mean that its use is limited. After Green Beans' passing, there is still nitrogen in your plant tissue. When decomposed, this is excellent for soil composition, as other plants can utilize nitrogen. You were heavily donated to the garden in the 2021 season, so we planted every last one of you. Your life span is incredibly short, so we had the plant decompose for the garden's health. Green beans, you truly gave more to other plants and the soil than yourself. Thank you, and we'll see you in 2022. 

With love,   

Soil