Using roots as means for nutrients and soil stability

by Corbett
(Portland, OR, USA)

I have thought to plant peas throughout my garden to develop a root system, then cut the peas off, leaving the nutrients from the roots to decompose and allow for better soil stability.
Does this make ANY sense? I can't find this theory online amazingly enough:)

Thank You,
Corbett

Doug says - you aren't looking hard enough. It's a common garden practice - green manuring, cover cropping, etc. All these things allow the development of a root system in the garden and then leaving the roots to decompose. I don't know quite what you mean by soil stability in this context but green manuring will add organic matter and therefore fertility to gardens.

Doing this in the context of a perennial garden is tricky given that the plants are still in place as well. Your pea crop might give some mulching benefits all summer and you could harvest them as well. Or, you could interplant a late fall crop of annual rye or mix buckwheat amidst the perennials (it's attractive in it's own right) to do this.

But generally, it's a technique of vegetables and annual flower beds rather than perennial flowers.