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Deer Vetch Food Plot Facts
Aeschynomene americana
Aeschynomene food plot seed is also known as
Aeschynomene Americana, common aeschynomene, joint vetch or deer vetch. Common aeschynomene has a high nutritive value and is very palatable to cattle, deer, turkey, rabbit, and quail. It has been used in the cattle industry and for wildlife plantings for many years and is an excellent choice of food plot seed for deer in spring, summer and fall food plots throughout the southeastern USA.
Aeschynomene Americana, or common aeschynomene, is a true annual that flowers and produces seed in the early fall. Plants usually die after seed has matured, but the stand can be managed to re-seed and maintain itself in good production for several years after first establishment.
Growing Deer Vetch In Food Plots
Aeschynomene plants can reach 3 to 5 feet tall
when mature and plants are generally very high in protein and quality for
deer. The seeds appeal to Quail , turkey and other game birds. Aeschynomene's attractiveness to wildlife will persist into
the fall months until first frost, making it a favorite
of bow hunters.
Where to Grow Deer Vetch
Aeschynomene is a warm-season annual legume adapted to moist sites and grows best in moist fertile soil. It is more tolerant of extremely wet conditions than of drought.
During establishment, good surface drainage is necessary. Although well-established plants can withstand short periods of flooding, young plants (seedlings) can be injured or killed if
plants are completely submerged in water. In general, deer vetch is adapted to the moist flat wooded areas throughout the southeastern USA.
Seeding Rate & Dates
The seed of common aeschynomene may be bought with the hull removed (naked) or intact. Whether the seed
Seeding dates can be critical to successful establishment of deer vetch. Aeschynomene is usually planted in June when the summer rains start. It has been planted successfully in April and May when spring rainfall has been above normal. Try to plant to establish new stands or lightly disk old stands to encourage seed germination when the chances are greatest for continued good soil moisture. Stand failure of aeschynomene is mainly caused by inadequate soil moisture at or shortly after seeding.
- Date:
April - June
- Rate: 20
lbs. per acre or ½ lb. per 1000 sq. ft.
(Seed With Hull)
Raw Seed Rate: 5 to 8 lbs per acre - If seeded with a precision planter on a clean-tilled seedbed
- Depth: ¼"
Inoculating Deer Vetch
When aeschynomene is seeded into new land or into fields where a summer legume has never been grown you should inoculate your deer vetch seed with the cowpea group of
inoculants available at our online store Seedland.com.
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