Crown Vetch is a cool season, hardy, perennial legume. Crown Vetch is not a true vetch, although it resembles common and hairy vetch. Crown Vetch spreads from rhizomes and will form a dense cover. It has been used for soil stabilization and as an ornamental landscaping for many years.
Product Details
- Non-bloating legume
- Wide range of climatic adaptations
- Tolerant of both low pH and low fertility soils
- Highly responsive to lime, phosphorus and potassium
- Adapted to road bank stabilization and erosion control
Product Information
Crown Vetch has a wide range of climatic adaptations, but its performance has been superior on well-drained soils. It is tolerant of both low pH and low fertility soils. However, it is highly responsive to lime, phosphorus and potassium. Crown Vetch is particularly adapted to road bank stabilization and erosion control. At the present time, this seems to be one of the best uses for the plant. In recent years, Crown Vetch has been considered as a source of forage for livestock.
It is a non-bloating legume. Some research has indicated that the young growth is palatable but that more mature growth is not readily accepted. Chemical analysis of Crown Vetch hay has shown that its crude protein and crude fiber content is similar to that of other legume hays.
Once the seedlings are established, relatively few Crown Vetch seedlings per acre will result in good stands because of its spreading habit due to the strong, vigorous rhizomes. Crown Vetch will persist under hay and grazing conditions if soil drainage and fertility is adequate. Its slow recovery after hay harvest suggests that it should not be overgrazed. A 3- to 4-inch stubble left after harvest is desirable to keep it in a productive state. Crown Vetch grows best on well-drained soils that have been limed as for clover. Hay yields have been less than alfalfa, so potash and phosphate should be applied as for red clover. Crown Vetch is toxic to horses because of the presence of nitroglycosides. If consumed in large amounts, it can cause slow growth, paralysis, or death.
The usual seeding rate is 5 to 15 pounds per acre. Seed prices are high, so you will want to keep seeding rates low. If low seeding rates are used, techniques designed to ensure maximum plant establishment are of the utmost importance. These techniques include the use of a seed inoculant, chemical weed control and special seeding equipment. If possible, apply lime, phosphate and potash based on red clover requirements. Do not use nitrogen because it will stimulate weeds more than the young Crown Vetch plants.
Seeding Methods
1. Spring seed on a prepared seedbed from March 15 to May 15. If possible, the sod should be fall plowed to control weeds and provide a firm seedbed.
2. Seed on a litter or mulch from dead Sudan grass from October to April.
3. Seed in early spring on a prepared seedbed. Prior to seeding, incorporate either 2 to 3 pounds of EPTC or 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of Benefin or 1/2 to 1 pound of Trifluralin into the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil with a disc and harrow. Take care not to mix the chemical too deeply in the soil because it may result in poor weed control. Chemical weed control is perhaps the best way to ensure a stand of crown vetch.
4. Broadcast Crown Vetch seed and roll or pack the soil. You may also seed in rows and cultivate to control weeds. The creeping ability of Crown Vetch will enable it to fill the rows.
Crown Vetch Seed
Instructions
The usual seeding rate is 5 to 15 pounds per acre. Seed prices are high, so you will want to keep seeding rates low. If low seeding rates are used, techniques designed to ensure maximum plant establishment are of the utmost...
Crown Vetch is a cool season, hardy, perennial legume. Crown Vetch is not a true vetch, although it resembles common and hairy vetch. Crown Vetch spreads from rhizomes and will form a dense cover. It has been used for soil stabilization and as an ornamental landscaping for many years.
Product Details
- Non-bloating legume
- Wide range of climatic adaptations
- Tolerant of both low pH and low fertility soils
- Highly responsive to lime, phosphorus and potassium
- Adapted to road bank stabilization and erosion control
Product Information
Crown Vetch has a wide range of climatic adaptations, but its performance has been superior on well-drained soils. It is tolerant of both low pH and low fertility soils. However, it is highly responsive to lime, phosphorus and potassium. Crown Vetch is particularly adapted to road bank stabilization and erosion control. At the present time, this seems to be one of the best uses for the plant. In recent years, Crown Vetch has been considered as a source of forage for livestock.
It is a non-bloating legume. Some research has indicated that the young growth is palatable but that more mature growth is not readily accepted. Chemical analysis of Crown Vetch hay has shown that its crude protein and crude fiber content is similar to that of other legume hays.
Once the seedlings are established, relatively few Crown Vetch seedlings per acre will result in good stands because of its spreading habit due to the strong, vigorous rhizomes. Crown Vetch will persist under hay and grazing conditions if soil drainage and fertility is adequate. Its slow recovery after hay harvest suggests that it should not be overgrazed. A 3- to 4-inch stubble left after harvest is desirable to keep it in a productive state. Crown Vetch grows best on well-drained soils that have been limed as for clover. Hay yields have been less than alfalfa, so potash and phosphate should be applied as for red clover. Crown Vetch is toxic to horses because of the presence of nitroglycosides. If consumed in large amounts, it can cause slow growth, paralysis, or death.
The usual seeding rate is 5 to 15 pounds per acre. Seed prices are high, so you will want to keep seeding rates low. If low seeding rates are used, techniques designed to ensure maximum plant establishment are of the utmost importance. These techniques include the use of a seed inoculant, chemical weed control and special seeding equipment. If possible, apply lime, phosphate and potash based on red clover requirements. Do not use nitrogen because it will stimulate weeds more than the young Crown Vetch plants.
Seeding Methods
1. Spring seed on a prepared seedbed from March 15 to May 15. If possible, the sod should be fall plowed to control weeds and provide a firm seedbed.
2. Seed on a litter or mulch from dead Sudan grass from October to April.
3. Seed in early spring on a prepared seedbed. Prior to seeding, incorporate either 2 to 3 pounds of EPTC or 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of Benefin or 1/2 to 1 pound of Trifluralin into the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil with a disc and harrow. Take care not to mix the chemical too deeply in the soil because it may result in poor weed control. Chemical weed control is perhaps the best way to ensure a stand of crown vetch.
4. Broadcast Crown Vetch seed and roll or pack the soil. You may also seed in rows and cultivate to control weeds. The creeping ability of Crown Vetch will enable it to fill the rows.
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United StatesCrown vetch is expensive for what it is. I had maybe a 40% germination rate on the hillside of my pond. It does only receive 5-6 hours of sunlight/ day so I was actually happy with that.
Thank you for your review! Crown vetch grows best on well drained soils, happy you are having decent results by your pond. It should spread and fill in. Thank you for choosing Hancock Seed!
United StatesNo nonsense seeds. They are already coated and all the planted seeds were fertile. I could see them all come up within a few days. Plus the price is right! Recommend! Will buy again next year.
Great! Thank you for choosing Hancock Seed Company!
United StatesFast service, friendly sales rep, I would definitely buy product from them again
Awesome! Thank you for choosing Hancock Seed Company!
The first time I purchased 5 Lbs., it came uncoated, source was from Germany, and it had superior 1st year germination/yield with powdered lime preparation. Last year seed and this year's is coated and not labeled from Germany. Last year had very poor yield & growth on adjacent footage on same hill, and weather was ideal. I noticed more seed starting to spout this year however. This year I planted the same uncoated crown vetch seed. All 15 Lbs. were on same 2 acre site with same preparation and I'm just planting seed across the hill each year and not overseeding. I recommend used powdered lime and not pelletized lime applied 2 weeks prior to seeding. Use gas string trimmer to cut and rake off vegetation. Does not require rototilling and beneficial milkweeds are only plant coming up through the vetch.
