Ornithopus sativus

Serradella

Common names: Large Bird's Foot, Serradelle

This description was machine-translated.

Description

Serradella is a delicate leguminous plant that thrives on light, acidic sandy soils where other green manures fail. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen through its root nodules and develops a fine, even root system that covers the upper soil layer. It tolerates summer drought remarkably well and also provides good forage.

Care instructions

Sow Serradella from April to June (week 14 to 26) on a light, slightly acidic soil, pressing the seeds firmly after planting. Cut back the stand at flowering (August, week 32) and incorporate it into the soil to retain the fixed nitrogen.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 4.5–6.58.0

Soil type

sandy, well-drained, lean, humus-rich, lime-avoiding

LightFull sun

HardinessFrost-sensitive

Water needLow

Feeding

Light feeder

Companion planting

Good neighbors

cabbage family (Brassicaceae)

particularly well established

Leguminous plants collect nitrogen in the soil, from which Brassicaceae benefit as heavy feeders.

For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

carrot family (Apiaceae)

Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.

For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)

Beans and peas enrich the soil with nitrogen, which cucurbits, as heavy feeders, can make good use of.

For example CucumberPumpkinCourgettepickling cucumberButternutHokkaido and 14 more species in the catalogue

Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)

Rather not

amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)

particularly well established

Allium species inhibit the nitrogen‑fixing rhizobia of legumes through their root exudates, which slows their growth.

For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue

Source: basic crop‑rotation rule

Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.

Some of these explanations were machine-translated.

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