Farm Tidbits: Benefits of Plant Diversity

The picture below is our 8-way summer mix. We recently planted sorghum Sudan, Buckwheat, Mung beans, Cow peas, kale, sunflowers, sun hemp and forage soybeans.

The diversity eliminates the need for fertilizer as the crops feed each other. The legumes also pull nitrogen out of the air.

The diversity also helps the soil microbiome community as each plant gives off different sugars via its root exudates.

The cattle also appreciate the diverse mix to have a balanced diet.
Everyone benefits when our environment is diverse.