Inoculate your legume seeds prior to planting! The primary reason for planting legumes (alfalfa, clovers, vetches, peas, beans and other related plants) is to fix Nitrogen from the air into the soil in forms that other plants can use. Legumes, however, are not able to do it singularly. They work in harmony with a group of root inhabiting bacteria, known as Rhizobacters, which process and convert gaseous Nitrogen to plant-useable Nitrogen. The legumes provide an environment (on their roots) and supplemental food for the bacteria.

Although these bacteria do exist in the soil, years of research have shown that the amounts naturally found in most soils are not sufficient to maximize Nitrogen fixation by the legumes. Therefore it is important to inoculate the seeds with the proper bacteria prior to planting. This insures a high level of viable bacteria when the seed germinates. Properly inoculated legumes can generate up to 200 lbs. per acre of useable Nitrogen.

Many of the legumes are pre-inoculated with their Rhizobacteria and given a protective lime coating. Non-Rhizo-coated seeds and other legumes should also be inoculated with the proper inoculant.

How to Inoculate
Inoculation of seed is relatively easy to do. Place seed in a bucket or barrel and moisten with a little water so the inoculant will stick to it. Sprinkle the inoculant onto the seed and mix thoroughly until the seed becomes well coated. The seed will turn black when they have enough. Adding a little corn syrup (Karo) will help the inoculant stick to the seed when planted. It is impossible to use too much inoculant. Do not put it on the seed until just before planting and do not leave the inoculated seed in the sun or bacteria will die.

Order the Correct Inoculant
Different strains of Rhizobacter work only on specific seeds. Inoculate every time you plant a particular legume, regardless if you have had inoculated seed there before.

The bacteria is a live product. It has a definite shelf life and should be used prior to the expiration date on the package. Use new inoculant whenever in doubt to insure potency.