Has anyone used inoculant before planting beans or peas? I have a couple of observations on it and a question.
I planted green beans in one raised bed last year. I planted green beans in the same raised bed this year. I did not use inoculant for either planting. I also planted green beans in a new raised bed this year. Again I did not use inoculant.
My green bean harvest came to and end so I cut the plants off at the ground. I left the roots in the ground to rot and not disturb my soil foodweb and provide nitrogen.
Yesterday, I was preparing the beds to plant purple hull peas. I uprooted a couple of the plants in each bed. I noticed the plants in the older bed had the nitrogen fixing nodules attached to the roots. The plants in the newer bed did not have the nodules. I assume the plants in the older bed have the nodules because beans were planted there before, and the bacteria that produces the nodules got into the soil (how? I don't know). The newer bed had no bacteria, therefore, no nodules.
Before planting my purple hulls I got some inoculant. I hope it is the correct kind. I noticed some packages are specific about what they are for. The inoculant I bought mentioned it was for peas. I assume that includes cowpeas. Does anyone have any experience with this? Did I do the right thing here?
Thanks,
Tate