We have a very late spring here and have decided to let the garden go fallow this year instead of

[jwirr]

our usual. What seeds could be planted to enhance the soil this summer?

[ginnyinWI]

1. Rye? Not sure.

It sounds like a plan: my last two gardens have been really poor, partly due to drought. Maybe I'll just plant a row or two this year.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. I would suggest clover.

Clover is a nitrogen-fixing plant, so can help add nitrogen to the soil. You want to plant it soon though, this is the time to plant it.

Clover plants have a symbiotic relationship with a bacterium in the Rhizobium genus that allows them to fix atmospheric nitrogen and provide for their own nitrogen needs, which is why clover can maintain a dark green color even under low nitrogen fertility. Turfgrass growing in soil that is low in nitrogen may receive supplemental nitrogen from old clover plants as their roots die and decay.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7490.html

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. A legume, like clover or lupine, to fix nitrogen.

There are some pretty, very decorative legumes you could plant to brighten up the garden while they improve the soil. Cultivars of the lupine family are quite attractive, as are varieties of Baptisia (false or wild indigo), which also attract butterflies.

[BlueToTheBone]

4. fava beans fix nitrogen

when you're ready to work the garden again, pull them (lots of work) and knock the nitrogen back into the soil.