What? Ok, so not everyone knows about the nitrogen fixation cababilities of lightning, but it's true! This is how it works . . .
Nitrogen is present in the air as N2, N2O and NO, none of which are useable by plants. Plants need ammonium, NH4. So, how do they get it? Well, some bacteria can effect change nitrates that result in useable ammonium at the root level of some legumes. But, we all knew that, right? That's why farmers will plant alfalfa or soybeans in a field previously planted with corn. They are trying to replace the nitrogen.
Where does the lightning fit it? Lightning is a high energy event (insert "duh" here). The high energy rips apart the tripple bonds of the N2 molecule, leaving a bunch of single nitrogen atoms in it's wake. Now, much of this will return right back to atmospheric nitrogen. Ah yes, but some of those lonely N's will hook up with some O2's, making nitrites. Hmmm . . . the stage is now set for some easier bond "switching."
There are a few different processes now involved in the Nitrogen Cycle including nitrification, nitrogen mineralization and denitrification. All of those can be explored in detail at http://www.visionlearning.com/. But we shall suffice it to say, lightning is free fertilizer.
The book I am presently devouring, The New Self-Sufficient Gardener, mentions this in the opening chapter, believe it or not! John Seymour's books are really quite good and are a reccomended read. This was something my husband had always talked about, too! (He's a smarty pants!)
Now, if your head hurts, here is some lighter fare:
I found an empty bird egg in my wildflower/butterfly garden this morning! I think it is a starling egg (ick) but it is still pretty and a reminder of the cycles of life. I also took some pretty pictures of a squash blossom, lettuce and my ever growing blueberries! Enjoy!
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