Nutrient Accumulators

Plants take in nutrients from the soil in which they grow. These nutrients accumulate in their leaves, roots and fruit. Composting of plant and food wastes and subsequent use of compost in your garden beds, returns these nutrients back into the soil. Legumes including the garden peas and clover in the image above, are able to extract nitrogen from the air, carrying it down to the roots in the soil. For that reason, always leave your legume roots in the ground after harvest. They will return nitrogen to the soil as they break down, perfect for a crop of leafy vegetables. More detailed information [pdf]

*Note: Items in bold text below are more readily available plants, often grown in home gardens.