You thought that the month of February was not made for gardeners?
Know that this is the best month to
plant legumes
, also known scientifically as Fabaceae.
In addition to pulses (beans, peas, etc.), there are also mimosas in this family, such as acacia, mimosa or albizia.
All these plants will quickly become your allies in the garden.
Why plant legumes in your vegetable garden?
Legumes produce seeds that are very useful for human consumption.
Peas, beans, broad beans, lentils, lupine, clover or even soya… The variety of species makes it possible to constitute a diversified and protein food.
Here are the health benefits of legumes:
Rich in nutrients;
Does not contain cholesterol;
Source of protein;
Gluten free ;
Low fat content;
Rich in iron and zinc.
In addition, the bean plants, which are very abundant, can then be used for mulching.
Collect the leaves and stems after harvesting.
Leguminous plants are also known for their ability to loosen the soil and enrich poor, clay soils.
Finally, some varieties of broad beans produce white or pink flowers, which are particularly aesthetic.
Read alsoLentils, chickpeas, dried beans: how to cook legumes?
Did you know ?
As the United Nations (UN) reminds us, pulses reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale thanks to a relatively low carbon footprint.
They are useful for increasing the yield and fertility of agricultural land.
Which legumes to sow in February?
Lenses
Green lentils.
Adobe Stock
Lentils are sown from February to April, at the end of winter.
There are several varieties of lentils: green, red and blond.
Plant them in a rather sunny corner of the vegetable garden.
Lens culinaris
( Latin
name for lentil) flowers in summer, when small, flat pods begin to appear.
Inside are the flattened seeds.
For the summer harvest, form bundles with the cut feet and hang them in a ventilated place.
It will be enough to beat the boots to collect the seeds.
Read also15 gourmet lentil recipes to fill up on energy this winter
Pea
Peas in their pods.
Adobe Stock
Pisum
sativum
- pea - is a leguminous plant that produces round seeds, grouped in groups of 5 to 10 in the pods.
The stems are hollow, the leaves end in tendrils and white and purple flowers.
Peas contain many vitamins.
Plant it in rich, humus-rich soil, between February and April (for wrinkled seeds, between March and June).
Leave a space of 30 to 40 cm between the plants.
Read alsoDo “small square peas” exist?
beans
Green beans.
Adobe Stock
Originally from the Mediterranean basin, the broad bean (
vicia faba
) has been cultivated since the Neolithic period for its seeds, which can be eaten cooked and raw.
Sow them in deep soil, with some exposure to the sun.
The best month to plant fava beans is March, but it all depends on the climate.
It is possible to plant them as early as February if the temperatures are already starting to rise slightly.
Leave a distance of 40 cm between plants.
Read alsoWhat does the bean contain?
Chickpeas
Sprouted chickpeas.
Adobe Stock
Last grain to sow in February,
cicer arietinum
(chickpea, to which we owe the name of Cicero) exists in two types: Desi (dark and wrinkled) and Kabuli (light).
This hardy plant resists cold well, but does not appreciate wet soils.
This allows it to be grown in both rich and poor, superficial and deep soils.
Read alsoPanisse, curry, pavlova… The second life of chickpeas by chef Julia Sedefdjian
Which legumes to plant in the spring?
Once the winter is over, from the first buds of spring, you can plant other legumes.
Here is a non-exhaustive list:
Soy ;
Beans ;
Clover ;
Alfalfa;
Lupine.
Most of these spring legumes have therapeutic properties.
Clover has purifying, diuretic and expectorant properties.
Lupine acts against diabetes and cholesterol.
Sweet clover helps digestion and grass pea strengthens the body.