[Scpg] Gopher Stopper Clover -- a nitrogen fixer that deters gophers!

[LBUZZELL at aol.com]

Last night at the meeting of the Santa Barbara Rose Society, we had a  
speaker from Rincon-Vitova who shared a lot of info on beneficial insects and  other 
organic methods.
 
One I thought people might be especially interested in is Gopher Stopper  
Clover (Melilotus indica or sourclover) which can be ordered from  Rincon-Vitova. 
 It's a winter-annual legume in Calif and flowers April -  October.  Contains 
coumarin, which is toxic to rodents (and livestock, if  you happen to have 
any -- so care is required).  
 
It's definitely what permaculturists call a "stacking" plant - multiple  
functions.  It has been used as a green manure and cover crop in citrus and  other 
orchards.  It improve heavy soils because of its deep roots and  increases 
the water-holding capacity of all soils.
 
Rincon-Vitova is at _www.rinconvitova.com_ (http://www.rinconvitova.com) 
 
Linda
**************Nothing says I love you like flowers! Find a florist near you 
now. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=florist&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000002)
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