Can I till pea plants into the soil?

[my4littlebuffaloes]

I have heard that legumes are good for the soil. I was thinking of maybe tilling my pea vines into the bed real well. We have a 6 inch raised bed and we are doubling the height and will be adding a bunch of dirt, so we could cover the vines and work it in really well. Is that a good idea?

[littleplum]

If you want the plants to add nitrogen to the soil, it's best not to kill them.


Here's a short article about nitrogen fixation:
http://www.voanews.com/specialenglis...21b23335736629

[my4littlebuffaloes]

Thanks! I just pulled them off the strings they were on. Mashed them all down in a pile and covered everything with compost and dirt. I am going to wait a week and then till it good. I hope it helps the soil. I want to plant lettuce and broccoli there for a fall garden.