legume inoculation - Ask Extension
I'm planting Robinia pseudoacacia, but only have inoculum for beans. Will that suffice in peat-based potting medium?
Knowledgebase
legume inoculation #925720
Asked March 09, 2026, 4:46 PM EDT
I'm planting Robinia pseudoacacia, but only have inoculum for beans. Will that suffice in peat-based potting medium?
Lancaster County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
Good afternoon Timothy,
Using a "general garden" innoculant, which is used for legumes, peas, beans, etc, is not recommended for your black locust. While they won't harm your plant, they do little good. Look for an innoculant labeled specifically for Robinia pseudoacacia.
If you have other robinia pseudoacacia already established, you can use soil from around those roots as your innoculant. That in fact, is often recommended over a store bought innoculant.
Robinia pseudoacacia is considered a native here in Pennsylvania and as such can't be classified as invasive, but it is considered that in many other states. Here it's considered "agressive", so keep that in mind.
Good luck with it!
Using a "general garden" innoculant, which is used for legumes, peas, beans, etc, is not recommended for your black locust. While they won't harm your plant, they do little good. Look for an innoculant labeled specifically for Robinia pseudoacacia.
If you have other robinia pseudoacacia already established, you can use soil from around those roots as your innoculant. That in fact, is often recommended over a store bought innoculant.
Robinia pseudoacacia is considered a native here in Pennsylvania and as such can't be classified as invasive, but it is considered that in many other states. Here it's considered "agressive", so keep that in mind.
Good luck with it!
